Uyakasa was a small village.
Small enough that everyone knew everything about everyone.
Small enough that, whenever something bad happened — a loss, a harsher winter, a failed harvest — people looked for someone to blame.
And that someone… was always me.
My name is Fubuki. I'm ten years old. And I was born unlucky.
At least that's what my mother keeps saying.
"Ever since you were born, things got worse." That's what she said when I accidentally broke a glass. That's what she said when my brother twisted his ankle. That's what she said when my father lost his temporary job at the temple.
And then, that same night, like every other night, I was pushed out of the house.
No coat.
No food.
Not even a glance.
—"You bring misfortune." — my mother said, eyes cold.
The door slammed shut with a dry thud.
And the cold embraced me again.
I didn't cry. I stopped doing that a long time ago.
The sting of my face burning from the frozen wind already feels like part of me, like it's my real skin.
The snow… is the only thing that's never hurt me.
---
Whenever I'm thrown out, I walk to the waterfall behind the hills. It's not far, but the wind hits hard out there. The trail is lined with skinny pine trees that make sounds when the wind passes through, like they're sighing for me.
That waterfall never freezes, even though the river looks dead. The water trickles down slowly, covered in mist, forming shallow pools with smooth stones. I sit on one of those stones until the sun rises.
It's the only place I feel… free.
Sometimes I think I'm going crazy, because I hear the snow talking to me.
It doesn't have a voice, not like people. But it makes sounds that calm me.
A soft crack, a whisper in the wind, a sound like distant glass shattering.
And I hear things like:
— "You're not alone."
— "Keep walking."
— "They don't know who you are."
And even though I know it might just be in my head… I listen.
---
That night, the sky was heavy.
The moon barely peeked through the thick clouds.
I sat on my usual stone and hugged my knees, shivering, my fingers almost colorless.
That's when I heard a crack behind me.
A step. Then another.
I turned quickly, but saw nothing.
The sound of the water drowned out everything, but my heart pounded loudly.
The air grew heavier, and my breath formed thick clouds in front of my face.
I smelled something strange.
Sweet. Warm. Almost rotten.
Then something moved among the branches.
A shadow.
Tall. Hunched.
And then I heard a voice.
— "Poor child... left in the cold… no one wants you, do they?"
I froze. My feet felt glued to the ground.
I tried to back away, but my leg slipped and I nearly fell into the water.
The shadow stepped closer. A man… no. Not a man.
His skin was too smooth. It glistened. His eyes… yellow, like a snake's.
His smile was wide. Too wide. His teeth, sharp.
— "You don't need to suffer anymore, Fubuki…" — he said, dragging my name like honey.
— "I can take you somewhere with no pain. No hunger. No cold."
How did he know my name?
I tried to run.
But he was in front of me in the blink of an eye.
— "You're special. Very special. More than they know."
I screamed. Screamed with all the strength I had.
But no one heard.
His hand rose. He had long, black claws.
The other hand reached toward me — and when he smiled, I saw his mouth stretched all the way to his neck.
I fell backward, hitting my head on the stone. Pain blinded me for a moment, and when I looked again… the monster was already crouched over me.
— "You don't have to worry anymore…"
Then something happened.
A cut. Quick. Silent.
The monster's arm flew through the air, and blood sprayed warm across the snow.
A shadow appeared behind him — short, but firm. Wearing a red tengu mask. Holding a katana in hand.
The monster staggered back, screaming.
— "Damn slayer!"
The figure didn't answer.
They moved in a smooth spin, sliding through the snow like a dance — and in an instant, slashed the creature's chest.
Blood. Screams. Snow spinning in the air.
The monster stumbled back again, swaying.
Then the figure spoke, their voice muffled behind the mask:
— "You shouldn't be here."
The monster growled, eyes full of hate.
But before it could strike again… the blade cut upward.
One clean strike.
The head fell, and the body turned to dust, vanishing into the wind.
---
I lay there, paralyzed.
The stranger approached.
Snow fell between us.
He crouched, looking into my face. I couldn't see his expression — only his voice behind the mask.
— "Are you hurt?"
I tried to shake my head. I didn't know if I even had a voice left.
— "You're lucky. But luck doesn't last forever."
He lifted me into his arms. Not with anger. Not in a rush. Just firm. Like he knew exactly what to do.
— "You won't be alone anymore."
And before sleep took me, I heard one last thing that night:
— "My name is Urokodaki Sakonji. You'll train with me."
And finally… I passed out.