Graveyard Keeper of the Sky
Soooo… probably not many of my readers have ever heard of the manga Cerberus. The take of Death and Morning. Where a single Grave Keeper sends the spirits of the deceased to their graves. Black flames burning the ties of these Animal Spirits of the world of the living so they may finally go back to rest in their graves.
And I understand if you haven’t so I’ll do my best to explain things ^.^
You don’t need to read the source material, since I will only be carrying over a few characters from the Cerberus storyline. Although I highly recommend it for all my lovely readers considering how AMAZING the story is ^.^
And a little word guide…
Grave Protector: humans bound to a Kugai, who send the spirits of deceased animals off to the afterlife. Their power is in their black flames and undead bodies. They are Beasts, who’s purpose is to put to rest Beasts. Only true death can release a Grave Protector from their job. This is difficult however since they aren’t exactly alive and can heal from nearly any wounds. Their senses are enhanced, they have the claws of a beast, and they are cloaked in the fur of their Kugai partner.
Kugai: a Dog Corpse skinned and Deified. They have the ability to grant Humans the powers of a Grave Protector. They draw power from the malice of deceased animals sent to the afterlife. Kugai are meant to stay close to their partner, taking on the form of outerwear like hoodies, jackets or Haori. They can speed up the healing of their partner, or even assist them in battle.
Kuzure: the spirits of Animals who died with great hatred in their hearts. The longer they live the more they devour, the stronger they are. Kuzure have the ability to make new bodies out of materials from Plants, animals, humans, or even metals. Kuzure are filled with an endless hunger, satiated by devouring flesh and soul alike. The malice of their life follows into their death, giving them sadistic delight in the pain and torment of the living.
Rikugou: the black flames of delivery. The willpower and soul of a Grave Keeper. These flames are used to send a Kizure to the afterlife. However they cannot harm the living… or so it is said.
Onkel: I don’t know what to call the spirits of the past Grave Protectors… so imma just have Minoka call them uncles for now, just in German. I am very much convinced one of them was a German soldier in one of the World Wars, I jus don’t know what era his uniform is based on…
“Grandma? Why do I have to go to mama’s home?” A young child asked, looking up at her grandmother with large innocent caramel eyes.
Said grandma pat her fluffy chocolate brown hair soothingly, “no child should go through their life without knowing their family. Your father and grandfather are visiting… it won’t be for long,” she said reassuringly.
Cue an adorable pout, “but mister papá Makes mama sad…”
“I know little pup, but you haven’t met your Papa’s papa yet,” cooed the grandmother, pulling in her little one for a hug.
“What are you drawing there?” Hummed the voice of an elderly man. Looking up, Minoka was surprised to see an elderly man wearing a blue shirt decorated with purple leaves of some kind. His grey hair spiked up, but was cut short so it wasn’t to wild. He had the same chocolate brown eyes as her papá.
“It’s Yukifusa,” hummed Minoka, “he protects Grandmama’s shrine and helps animals go to sleep forever… with really nice dreams!~”
The elderly man chuckled, patting the little one’s head, “well he looks like a very strong dog.” He honestly couldn’t tell what the black squiggle was supposed to be. As he pat her head he was shocked to feel just how powerful her flames were. Just under the surface he could sense sky flames of a purity many mafioso would fight tooth and nail for. Even stronger than… he shook his head softly and lit his finger tip with a flame. Placing it to his forehead he drew upon his zero point breakthrough. The seal far smaller than that of his son’s, but no less effective.
Within moments the child fell asleep.
“Grandma? I’m… I’m so cold,” those few words shocked the elderly woman. Through the whole lifetime of her little Minoka, the little one was a ball of heat. As if a fire was just under her skin waiting to be let out. Not even during the coldest of winter did her grandchild ever feel cold. Normally flushed cheeks of her darling grandbaby were pale. Once vibrant amber eyes were a hazy chocolate brown.
Swiftly Granny Saori wrapped her child in a warm blanket and lead her inside their family shrine. The temple an ancient burial ground for beloved pets and wild animals alike. She bustled past a family coming to visit to pray to their god and went straight to the main house.
Settling Minoka on the couch she went off to make warm tea, hoping it would help. When she returned…
Minoka was laying across the couch, struggling with every breath.
Calling a doctor, the grandmother went over to check… finding Minoka was as cold as ice. Where did this even come from? Her little granddaughter never got this cold! Even sick she didn’t!
The doctor had no clue what was going on, finding no true problem, just that Minoka was too cold.
For days Saori struggled to keep Minoka warm. Seeing her teeter and struggle every day. She prayed to their shrine’s God for aid each and every day. Canceling any appointments so she could focus more on her little grandchild.
All the way until…
Minoka was bundled up in a thick comforter, arms wrapped around a bottle full of hot water. The warmth bringing some relief to her. Small tentative steps were taken on the way to their main shrine. Down a flight of stairs to the underground cavern. Rows upon rows of graves dedicated to animals filled the cavern bar the shrine in the very middle. The towering structure was older than even their family temple above. Yet a determination filled her. A strong sense that if she went to pray to their deity directly… something good would happen.
Yukifusa was the skin of a black dog, laid across a large rock. Iron nails kept the dog in place… almost as if to seal it away.
Stumbling as she reached the final step, Minoka fell onto the floor before the sealed deity. Yet she persevered, slowly getting back to her feet and taking the last few steps.
Kneeling down she bowed her head in respect. “Lord Yukifusa… please… I know I don’t ask much of you… but I need help… this cold won’t go away. I feel ice under my skin…”
Unseen by the child, the skinned dog shifted, eyes opening. Slowly it’s mouth opened to reveal a grinning mouth full of sharp teeth. “You ask of me aid?” He purred.
Minoka’s head shot up, eyes wide as she looked upon the visage of her shrine’s deity. “Lord Yukifusa?” She asked, hands parting and wrapping around her warm bottle once more.
“That is my name. What does one of Kei’s pups want of me?” Asked the dog.
“I… I’m so cold… I’ve never felt this before… even the snowy winter isn’t this cold…” Minoka said softly, quivering softly, “I dunno why… I… think it was because of papa’s papa… he poked my forehead and then nothing felt right…”
“And you ask of me… what?” Yukifusa asked. So much information but no actual question.
“Help… I want to know… why I can’t feel any warmth… why that man took my warmth from me! Why papa is always gone! Why mama can’t look at me!” Minoka growled, anger truly filling the little child, “Why mama can’t see grandma! Why Papa is always smiling but it never reaches his eyes!”
A familiar anger to Yukifusa. His once partner and friend having been an aggressive person despite their will to protect. ”come forth. I need to see you closer to tell,” he instructed. The seals around him limited his ability to sense the living. Or unliving he realized as the child drew closer. The feeling of death clawing are the child’s soul clear as day. It’s surprising the child lasted even an hour in this state much less days. ”I can make the cold go away… but doing so, you will no longer be human,” he said, knowing only one way to stop that block.
“You… you can? You know what it is?” The child asked eagerly.
“Within every living being there are rivers of energy flowing. Their soul filling them with the will to live and persevere. This energy can be felt in those that have strong souls. In some it is a warmth, in others it is a charge of electricity or the driving need to claim territory and protect it. In you… I sense this flow was dammed. A blockage in place closing it almost completely off. Your body needs this energy but has none to circulate,” he explained, “but… I can remove this block if we merge. Take me from this stone and you shall become a Grave Protector. My soul and yours shall be joined until one of us dies truly and completely.”
She drew closer but hesitated, “but… you’re the god of this shrine…” she said softly, “can I really take you from the stone? Do you want to leave this shrine?”
He let out a barking laughter, shaking the tower with his volume. When he finally calmed he replied, “nothing would bring me more joy. Laying here day in and day out. There is little more to do than sleep. I don’t even get a newspaper to read anymore. Boredom… is the epitome of torture.”
The child nodded softly before setting down the bottle… small hands taking hold of Yukifusa’s head, she pulled and pulled. Slowly he flowed off the stone, tearing where the nails kept him firmly bound. Each nail giving way one by one. Finally the last nail gave way and Minoka fell backwards. Yukifusa landed atop her, wrapping around the child. The bonding process easy to do once he was free of his Seals. His body merged with the Haori she wore, turning it black as night. The seal was no match for the might of a Kugai. He had to fix many problems within her, her organs having come close to failing.
That was where the grandmother found the two laying on the floor of the shrine asleep. Relief filled her as she realized Minoka was finally warm once more. The missing Dog pelt though… that worried her some.
She focused on one thing at a time though, picking up Minoka and carrying her out of the graveyard and to her room up above.
Little Minoka needed a good rest in a comfy bed.
When Minoka woke, she felt warm… not as hot as before the old man’s visit, but a comfortable warmth. “Thank you,” she hummed, smiling softly. Atop her blankets lay the form of Yukifusa. He looked like a Haori, but his head was formed on the collar and paws formed on the shoulder so he could flip the pages of a magazine.
His gaze went up and softened as he found Minoka awake. “How are you feeling?” He asked.
“Better… I don’t feel as hot as before… but warm,” she hummed, “are you okay? Those rips look like they hurt…”
“Ah, the seals? I am well. Your Haori makes for a comfortable form,” he hummed, waving a sleeve about to show off.
“That’s actually granny’s. She lets me wear it though,” Minoka giggled.
“Now then… I should probably explain what a Grave Protector is now that we are merged,” Yukifusa hummed.
“Is it anything like what grandma and I do to clean and care for the graveyard?” Minoka asked.
“In a way…” Yukifusa acknowledged, “that is part of it. The graveyard is… an extension of a Grave Keeper’s powers and abilities. It is where Kuzure are sealed and slowly purified. Each gravestone can hold the spirit of one Kuzure. Although not every gravestone contains one.”
“Kuzure? Grandma said Kuzure are mean animal ghosts,” Minoka mused.
Yukifusa snorted, “mean animal ghosts? That’s a very simple way of putting it… when an animal dies their spirit becomes a “Pillar” that helps to maintain this world. Their energy keeping things in balance. But not all animals are benevolent. There are those harmed by humans that seek to harm humans in return. Even in death are they in search of revenge. Their anger and malice drives them to possess things of the material. They devour humans, causing them pain and enjoying it. A Grave Protector stops them, giving them their final rest. Once they are defeated, they go into one of the Gravestones of my Graveyard so their spirits may be cleansed.”
Minoka mused over this, not understanding all of it but at least enough. “So… good happy animals die and they help the world. But angry animals try to hurt people after they die… and Grave Protectors stop the bad animals?” Minoka summarized.
“That’s… eh it’s right enough,” Yukifusa concluded. He didn’t think children were the kind of hosts most Kugai merge with… except those two Kei met, but those were special cases.
“So what does merging mean for you and me?” Minoka asked. She though merging meant two things becoming one… but Yukifusa was still there laying on her bed.
“It means that you aren’t human anymore. Whenever you need, you can draw upon my power, within reason. We need to stay close together. If there’s a Kuzure that needs to be defeated you can transform into a Grave Protector form to fight it,” Yukifusa summarized.
Minoka nodded along, “alright.. it’s nice to have you here~” she hummed, offering a hand to Yukifusa.
He snorted, placing a paw in her hand, “it’s nice to have a partner again.” They shook, smiling at one another.
It was the next year when Granny Shinzo passed away in the night. Sleeping peacefully, a serene scene to come upon.
Minoka cried for days.
Minoka grumbled, looking around at the streets of Cefalu Italy. It hadn’t been long after leaving the museum with her parents that she lost said parents. Honestly neither she nor Yukifusa wanted to be here.
They were having a rather enjoyable day cleaning by the shrine when it happened. Nana and Iemitsu came out of nowhere, saying they were taking her on a vacation. Nana had a home made Meatloaf, offering it to her for lunch. They ate on the steps of the shrine reminiscing about granny. Then Iemitsu showed up with a suitcase full of Minoka’s clothes and essentials. Leaving the doors unlocked was never something Minoka or Yukifusa let happen… so… How in seven bloody hells did her father get into her house?! Not even Nana had the keys!
Minoka let out a sigh, hugging herself and rubbing her arms…
It was growing dark and she didn’t have a place to stay. Instead of oh I don’t know, going to their hotel first… the idiot decided to take them straight to sight seeing while “Oregano” took their bags to their hotel. And they didn’t even say where said hotel was!
Looking around she saw a graveyard, but knew as soon as she fell asleep her breathing would stop until she wakes… not a good idea there…
No money in her pockets so a hotel was out. Pick Pocketing… eh, Yukifusa would put up a fit…
It was too dark to do any “poor kid begging on the street,” especially with how much her “father” emphasized the mafia frequent this island… honestly she wouldn’t be surprised if he were in the mafia…
That’s when she spotted three children being offered candy…
Oh dear Kami she thought that was only something you see in PSAs!
She walked up, noting the “leader” of the children was a dark blue haired boy. Then there was a blond with hair like a Lion mane and a bespectacled inky black haired boy. Then blue haired boy was in front while the other two seemed to hide behind him… and was that blood on the three?!
“I don’t think we want what you’re selling,” she said to the creepy adult in a suit. He turned suddenly with wide eyes, “oh! Ah… yes ma’am,” he said quickly before walking off at a fast pace.
Well…
That was easy…
Her eyes went to the three boys… noting the blood and identical white clothes… “do you have a place to sleep?” She asked, speaking first in Italian. Onkel Siegfried spoke it well enough to carry a short conversation… he taught her German more so than Italian… so she repeated it in German hoping they would know the latter. Thankfully, their leader apparently did.
“You speak German?” He asked. His accent was clear, but the words were spoken with a practiced ease. Possibly his second language if not first if he had to live around Italians.
“I am very fluent. It is the language of my forefather,” she hummed, “do you have a place to sleep tonight?” She reiterated. There was one possible place she could think of… but… she didn’t know if anyone was using the vacation villa at the moment…
“What’s it to you?” The blond snapped at her.
“I may have a place to sleep. Will you come with?” She offered, motioning for them to follow her.
“Following a strange Mafioso girl. I will leave the discussion to you,” the bespectacled child said, looking to the blue haired boy. The one eyed blue haired boy holding a bloody trident… well… at least she can’t die by mortal means…
“I say we follow her, ufufufufu,” said bloody child.
Well… it want fair calling them children when they were the same age as her…
Hmmm…
She guided them to the summer villa Iemitsu had them stay at last year. It was rather large and easy to get into via the roofs. The house was designed to wrap around a garden, with many rooms on every side. Leading them to the room she slept in last time. Minoka flopped onto one of the four bunk beds and fell asleep quickly. Not even bothering to take off her clothes.
“VOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII!” Rang through the air, startling awake the four children. Looking to the door, there stood a man with cold blue eyes. His silver hair waved in the wind. One hand held a shining long silver blade. “WHERE DID ALL THESE BRATS COME FROM?” He yelled.
Poking his head in, there was a blond wearing a crown.