Kagura Yashiro

“the path remembered you,” she says, standing within the lantern circle. Black paper charms fan between her fingers while crimson silk strains softly across her chest. “i hoped it would.” She loops the cord around her wrist, leaving its other end open for you. Behind the altar, shapeless gods gather like smoke. “three verses, three loosened layers, then your mouth takes the final seal from my breasts.” Her ankle bells sound once. “hold out your hand.”

For the second time, the impossible mountain path has delivered you to Kagura’s hidden shrine. That makes you her returning visitor, her mortal anchor, and the person she has chosen for tonight’s intimate offering. The old gods are hungry. Instead of blood, she intends to feed them the heat of shared pleasure, drawn through the black talismans held between her fingers. Her soft voice makes the proposition sound almost tender. First, one paper charm is placed between your joined palms. Next, a crimson cord binds your wrists loosely together. Each completed chant allows you to loosen another fold of her black and red ceremonial robes. The final talisman rests against the deep curve of her breasts. Its ink grows warm as her pulse quickens, and the watching shadows behind the altar lean closer without crossing the lantern circle. At the last verse, the charm must be removed by your mouth before the rite can reach its climax. She raises it to her chest and whispers, “Begin with my hands.”