The dream faded out, and when it returned, the two-legged seemed a bit older; time seemed to have passed in this dream. But for Kaoori, the dread was still there.
The dream continued.
"Kaoori?"
"Yes, sensei?"
"Please make sure that the steps to the shrine are swept today. You did not do it yesterday, did you? "
"Gomen nasai, sensei. I was out picking vegetables for dinner last night-- "
"Remember our shrine must stay clean. Your parents sent you here to become a priestess, and you must be taught right."

The young one stood up to leave. Her red and white shrine garb matched the purity of the place.
She walked to a room with an altar, kneeled and began to pray, closing her eyes and chanting quietly underneath her breath. She held some prayer beads in her hands. The lighted incense sticks filled the room with the smell of plumwood. Outside, the cherry blossom trees were in full flower, swaying gently in the wind. Some petals caught a breeze and slowly drifted in on the floor. Kaoori opened her eyes, gingerly picking up the petals and putting them to her nose, inhaling their scent.

Kaoori could almost smell it. A sweet fruit-like smell.

Sighing, she got up and walked to the closet, grabbing the small broom and heading outside toward the shrine's torii. She groaned at all the detritus laying around; this could be an all day job.
As she took her first sweep, the wind carried the screams up from the village down below.

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(omg this is like pulling teeth for me.. I just am having an awful time writing this. I feel like I have it in my head but I can't get it out. )