Beyond the Palace

Beyond the Palace

by Davina Lee

*

Author's Note

When we left Matoaka at the end of the last chapter, she had just arranged to have a sleepover at her mother's place. Her mother happens to be a wolf who lives in a den atop a high bluff, but hey, that's nothing compared to the craziness of real life, huh?

So what do we know so far?

Matoaka lives in harmony with nature, part of a group simply referred to as The People. Somewhere out there is a place called The Palace, but we haven't gotten to that just yet. We know about it, because of another girl teasing Matoaka, claiming she was "born in The Palace."

So is the title of this series making sense yet?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Are we going to find out?

Eventually. But first we have to meet Matoaka's girlfriend.

* * *

This chapter features a group of Shinto shrine maidens. For a little background, the traditional attire consists of red divided and pleated trousers called

hakama

(the wide legs making it look almost like a skirt) combined with a white robe called a

kosode

. The greeting offered to Matoaka by one of the shrine maidens is

Tadaima

(tah-dah-ee-mah), which translates to,

I'm home

.

* * *

Chapter 2: Chihiro

"Hold still," said the medicine woman, frowning as she applied the sticky herbal ointment to Matoaka's forehead.

Matoaka bit at her lip.

"Does that hurt?" asked the medicine woman.

"Huh? No. I probably don't need anything for it. I'll be fine."

"In a hurry then, are you?"

"Hurry?" said Matoaka. "Why would I be in a hurry?"

The medicine woman laughed. "The shrine maidens of course. Everyone knows of their coming."

Matoaka wrinkled her nose. "What's in this stuff, anyway?" she asked. "It smells like trees."

"You're changing the subject. Are you sure there isn't a shrine maiden who's caught your eye?"

Matoaka pulled back, shaking her head. "Am I done?"

The medicine woman set down the shallow dish of the ointment she had compounded. "You're done."

Matoaka sprang to her feet. "Thank you," she hollered, as she dashed from the doorway of the medicine lodge.

"Come back after supper," called the medicine woman. "And don't pick at it."

Matoaka waved, but didn't offer any other acknowledgment.

* * *

Matoaka ran to the edge of the place she called home, to the border where rocky bluffs and trees gave way to a wide expanse of tallgrass prairie. And snaking through the prairie grass, in a long, single file line, were a dozen riders on horseback.

"The shrine maidens," said someone. ""They're nearly here."

"Surely they'll be hungry," said another. "Let's take them some food."

Matoaka turned to look at Grandmother, who had caught up and was standing beside her now. Grandmother rested her hand on Matoaka's shoulder.

"They'll be here soon enough," said Grandmother. "Stay here under the canopy of trees where it's safest."

"But... Yes, Grandmother."

Matoaka fidgeted as she watched the riders approaching. On top, each mounted woman wore a gleaming white

kosode

, wide in the shoulders and short in the sleeves. From the waist down, she was covered by a brilliant red

hakama

, the wide legs pleated and extending to the ankles, even when draped over the back of a horse.

"Majestic, aren't they?"

"Yes, Grandmother." Matoaka gazed at the trio of women who rode two to a horse, with the women seated behind them wearing considerably less flashy attire.

As the line of riders approached, Matoaka focused solely on the plainly dressed passengers seated behind. "They look tired," said Matoaka.

"It is a difficult journey, the place they have come from to reach us."

In the distance, the young women who had decided to run out to greet the riders with gifts of food had finally met up. Each of the riders dipped her head as she halted her horse to accept gifts of dried berries and nuts.

The women behind the riders, clinging to their waists, barely raised their heads.

"I want to go meet them," said Matoaka, turning to Grandmother.

"They'll be at supper tonight. Give them time to get settled in and cleaned up before pressing them to regale you with tales of their adventures. Besides, you'll be busy helping with the preparations."

Matoaka moved her gaze to her feet. "Yes, Grandmother."

The line of riders grew closer, and their shadows longer, as the sun moved toward the horizon.

* * *

Matoaka sat tending to the fire under a pot of wild rice and sweet potatoes, when a young woman in a white kosode and red hakama crept up behind her. The young woman stooped to throw her arms around Matoaka and smiled. "Matoaka-chan," she said. "

Tadaima!

"

Matoaka turned around to face the young woman. She stared blankly for a moment and then flashed a quick smile.

"Oh, your head," said the young shrine maiden, frowning as she focused her gaze on Matoaka's forehead.

"It's nothing," said Matoaka. "Are you hungry? Supper will be ready soon."

"Matoaka-chan? Is that all you want to know? Am I hungry?"

"Well... Grandmother said I should wait before asking anyone to tell of your adventures."

"And when have you ever listened to your grandmother?"

"I..." Matoaka stared up at the young woman for a moment, studying her face. "I should tend to the cooking."

"That bump on your head must be serious business," said the shrine maiden.

"No, it's fine. It's just--"

"Have you forgotten?"

Matoaka chewed at her lip. "I, uh..."

"Matoaka-chan, it's me! Chihiro!"

"Are you hungry, Chihiro? Supper will be ready--"

"You forgot!" said the shrine maiden. "You did! You forgot me. Let me help you remember."

As Matoaka stared, open-mouthed, Chihiro gathered up the legs of her hakama and knelt beside her. Placing a hand behind Matoaka's head, Chihiro swooped in and mashed their lips together. The two did not part for some time.

"Now do you remember?" asked Chihiro.

"I uh..."

"I don't believe it!" said Chihiro, standing up to throw her hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry. Supper will be ready soon. Perhaps then we could--"

Chihiro turned and trotted off before Matoaka could finish.

* * *

With only the faintest glow of orange sunlight still on the horizon, most of the shadows were cast by the large fire in the center of the clearing where Motoaka sat alone, plate in hand.

She nibbled at the remains of rice and fish while she watched the shrine maidens being doted on by the other young women assembled. Matoaka heard bits of laughter take flight and saw gentle tossing of hair now and again by some of the women her age. The younger girls seemed to be content with running to catch a quick glimpse now and then.

Matoaka moved her gaze to the medicine woman who was making the rounds among the girls who came in on the backs of horses, seated behind the shrine maidens. These were the ones who looked the most weary from their journey. In addition to the extra helpings of food, the medicine woman was offering these girls herbs and other medicinals.

Grandmother was making the rounds too, bending to offer a word to each one of the shrine maidens and new arrivals alike.

"Matoaka-chan!"

Matoaka whirled around to see Chihiro standing behind her, smiling.

"Chi‑Chihiro," said Matoaka. "Can I get you more to eat? Are you still hungry?"

"You really don't remember me, do you?"

Matoaka shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry."

"Then you must think I'm a fool for the way I acted earlier."

"The way you...?"

"When I kissed you."

"Oh," said Matoaka, the heat rising in her cheeks. "Oh that."

"It was very forward--"

"No. I rather enjoyed it," said Matoaka, turning her gaze to her feet.

"May I sit with you?" asked Chihiro.

"Please," said Matoaka.

Chihiro gathered up her hakama and plopped herself next to Matoaka, leaning in to rest against the young woman's shoulder. "You told me you loved me. Last time I was here."

"I... I did?"

Chihiro nodded. "I'm sure you say that to all the shrine maidens when you take them to bed."

Matoaka turned to Chihiro, her eyes wide. "To bed...? Did we...? Sleep...? Together...?"

"Sleep?" said Chihiro. "Not so much that I remember. Together? Definitely."

"I'm sorry, I--"

"It's not your fault," said Chihiro, glancing up at the patch of ointment on Matoaka's forehead, glistening in the flickering firelight. "Poor girl. This bump."

Matoaka shrugged.

Chihiro touched the tip of her finger to Motoaka's nose and then pulled it away just as quickly. "I can help you remember," she said. "If you want."

Matoaka stared for a moment. As she did, a young girl ran through her field of vision, chasing after another shrine maiden who trotted just two steps ahead, looking back and laughing.

Matoaka smiled and returned her gaze to Chihiro. "I'd like that," said Matoaka. "I'd like that very much."

"Good," said Chihiro, wrapping both hands around Matoaka's arm and settling her head on Matoaka's shoulder. "We should sneak off before your grandmother gives her big speech."

Matoaka looked up. Grandmother was just getting to her feet. "Too late," said Matoaka.

* * *

Opposite of where Matoaka and Chihiro sat, Grandmother made her way to stand beside one of the new girls and offered a smile as she held out her hand. After some coaxing by the shrine maiden seated beside her, the new girl took Grandmother's hand and rose to her feet.

With the girl in tow, Grandmother approached a second girl, and a third, until they were all standing beside her.

"We have three beautiful new girls delivered into our care today," said Grandmother, as the other individual conversations around the fire fell silent.

"Mother Earth, with the help of the shrine maidens, has guided our children home. Your true home. Your home among The People." Grandmother looked upon each girl in turn.

"We welcome you, and are honored to have you with us."

One by one, at the end of Grandmother's introduction, women seated around the fire rose to their feet and came to greet the newcomers. Each offered a word or a touch. Chihiro latched onto Matoaka's hand as the pair wandered over.

"Welcome," said Matoaka.

"You are safe here," said Chihiro.

The newcomers offered little in reply. One nodded, another flashed a wan smile, and the third simply stared, her eyes unfocused.

Behind the trio of new girls, Grandmother stood watch. When Matoaka and Chihiro passed, Grandmother caught Chihiro's eye. "Please take good care of her," said Grandmother to Chihiro.

Chihiro nodded in reply.

"What was that about?" asked Matoaka, as they departed the press of the crowd.

"Your grandmother wants me to look after you."

"I figured that much," said Matoaka. "But why?"

Chihiro grinned. "Because I like you, silly girl."

* * *

"And this is taking care of me?" asked Matoaka, as she lay back on the blankets Chihiro had spread over the floor of the lodge.

Chihiro dashed her finger over her lips and arched her eyebrows as she settled astride Matoaka's hips. Dropping her hands to her waist, Chihiro unfastened her belt, letting her kosode fall open.

Matoaka stared, open-mouthed as Chihiro slipped the sleeves from her shoulders and cast her garment aside. She picked up Matoaka's hands in hers and moved them to her waist.

"You're beautiful, Chihiro."

"You say that every time I take my top off."

Matoaka moved her hands to Chihiro's shoulders and pressed in with her fingertips. "Your muscles," said Matoaka, squeezing and massaging. "I wouldn't have guessed when they're hidden under your robe."

"You say that every time, too."

"Do I?" said Matoaka. "I don't remember. I'm sorry, I don't mean to--"

Chihiro leaned forward and silenced Matoaka with a kiss. She then turned to whisper, "And that is why I am to take care of you."

"So I can remember?"

"So you can remember the good things," said Chihiro, sitting up again and moving Matoaka's hands to her breasts.

"Chihiro," breathed Matoaka. "I want to remember this. I want to remember you. I want to remember you forever."

"As do I." Chihiro placed her own hands atop Matoaka's and squeezed.

"Chihiro."

"Matoaka, my lovely flower. Let me take care of you. Let me help you remember the good things."

Matoaka sucked a breath. "Chihiro..."

* * *

Matoaka rolled onto her back, opened her eyes, and blinked once before squeezing them shut again. Rolling onto her side, she pulled her knees up and burrowed deeper into the bed covers.

Beside Matoaka, Chihiro reached out, touching her fingers to Matoaka's shoulder. Snuggling closer, Chihiro nuzzled Matoaka's neck. "Not slinking off before sunrise, I hope?" whispered Chihiro.

"No," replied Matoaka.

"The dawn will come. Until then, let's enjoy what's left of the night." Chihiro planted a peck on Matoaka's neck.

In the dark, Matoaka grinned.

"Roll over," said Chihiro. "I want to wrap myself around you."

"To keep me from slinking off?"

"Because I love the feel of having you in my arms when you're sleeping."

"How could I have forgotten this?" muttered Matoaka.

"When the sun is up, my lovely flower, I'll help you remember me some more. Until then, just rest."

Matoaka pulled a deep breath into her lungs and let it out slowly. Snuggling into Chihiro's embrace, she closed her eyes.

* * *

Afterword

So in addition to her Wolf Mother looking out for her, Matoaka's got Chihiro, her own personal shrine maiden who's made it her mission to ensure Matoaka remembers her in the best possible way. But what's causing Matoaka to forget? Is it really the bump on her head? Or is it something else?

For the ending credits, use your favorite streaming service to find the song

Sermonette

, by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.

Next up... Every Child Needs a Wolf Mother