A Spirit in the Woods

Chapter 1 : A Family Summer Getaway

The mountainous countryside of rural Japan stood, peaceful and undisturbed as always. Far, far away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. The town of Hida Takayashi stood. A few miles from the main town, an old pathway laid unused and beaten, leading up to a small hill where an old house stood. Surrounded by lush forests, abundant lush green present throughout the area. For the first time in many months, a car drove through, before stopping at the house mother and father getting out of the car, the mother walking out of the car and walking to the backseat to wake up her sleeping child. Snoring softly inside.

Gently shaking her child to no avail, she softly whispered in the little girl's ear, "May, wake up dear, we're here"

Slowly rising from a deep sleep, May opened her eyes, blinking a few times trying to adjust her eyes to the new light. She groaned, looking at her mother with a tired, grumpy look. Annoyed that she had been disturbed from her sleep. Her mother simply smiled and giggled at her with a usual kind smile.

"What is it mama, I was having a dream... ", May spoke in a groan, still laying in the car seat with a pout, she covered her eyes with a hand, "There was a cool lion wolf, and I could speak to animals.", she continued, trying to remember the hazy details of the dream.
Her mother moved aside showing the old house behind them, it was a traditional Japanese house. 2 stories tall and made of wood. It looked weird, different from most of the houses May had seen on TV and in her picture books. "We just pulled up at the house", she answered, pointing behind her.

May's eyes squinted, light blinding her eyes a bit, her expression showed no change, "Oh, we're here;" a boring tone laced in her voice, "how long have I been sleeping, mama?", she asked.
"About two hours, it was a long drive, now come on papa is taking out our stuff", her mother answered before helping May out of the car and her seatbelt. Leading her to the front of the house.

A man in his late 30s stood in front of the house, his hair in a simple bun, a stubble on his chin, upon seeing May and her mother his eyes lit up a large grin grew on his face, "Oh my little flower." he called looking to May.", you're awake! How was that nap, I could hear you snoring the entire trip!", he said chuckling to himself.

May yawned to herself, "It was ok papa," scrunching up her face in embarrassment at her father's comment, "the trip was so long, it's not my fault I fell asleep!", she yelled, pouting.

Her father's grin and laughter only grew, "Of course flower, whatever you say.", he teased as May's pout grew.

"Papaa-"

"You two quit it.", her mother said, breaking the two's bickering, gesturing at the old house, " The house is beautiful, isn't it? Your Baba and Jiji use to bring me here all the time when I was a little girl.", she said, clearly reminiscing. Her eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of the house.

May rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, "Yeah you told me, Mama, 3 times already-"
"I used to wish I lived here instead of in Tokyo you know", she spoke cutting May off, who looked away annoyed, " it's so nice and refreshing from city life. Don't you agree, Kou?", she continued, gesturing to May's father.

"Yes dear of course", May's father agreed, nodding. He looked down to May kneeling down to reach her height and small stature, "How about you little flower, are you enjoying yourself here, beautiful isn't it?", he asked.

May surveyed her surroundings, the house was far from most of the town, alone by itself on a small hill surrounded by the forest. In the distance, the town could be seen, but May could see a few people, as small as ants from where she was standing, going about their daily lives. From where she stood she could only hear the wind and the chirping sounds that she couldn't pinpoint, bugs maybe. 'It feels empty', she thought, sighing.

She looked towards her parents, who were waiting for her response while silently conversing in Japanese. She hated it when they did that, speaking a language they knew she could barely understand as if what they were saying was too important for her to know of. She knew so little words and could understand little about what they were discussing. She faced away from them.

"I don't know, it's too quiet here, and...grassy.", she answered looking down. Her mother frowned at the answer as if disappointed at her response. May looked away, silence falling before them for brief second before May's father cut in. Using an arm to carry May up to his face, his stubble tickling her cheek, causing May to giggle. The other arm snaking around her mother's shoulder pulling her towards them.

"Ah, no worries!", he said consolingly, kissing her mother on the cheek causing a smile to break out on her face, "You have the whole summer to get used to it!"

Walking into the house, May frowned as she saw the condition of the house. It seemed very out of shape compared to the outside. Apart from the dust that had accumulated, It was mostly empty, like a bare unfurnished apartment. Pieces of furniture laid almost forgotten near the corner of the front room. Cobwebs lined the halls. It felt bland to May.

There was too much space...empty, nothing back home. Where her family lived in a nice apartment in New York. Vibrant with colors, and life. Filled with furniture and obscure decorations her father insisted on collecting, and the sound of distant traffic and street musicians could be heard outside. Unlike here, where the house felt hollow and had no life to it.

"It's a bit dusty, but of course it's been a few months since your Jiji passed away", her mother said, coughing slightly from the dust around her.

"It's very dusty...and empty", May said. Her mother looked down, a sudden sad expression replaced her smile. 'Did I do something wrong?', she thought, confused.

"Yes", her mother said, her tone softer, " Jiji use to come by this house every month to clean it...just in case we decided to go visit."

"Akane...", May's father called, going over to her in an attempt to comfort her. She looked up again with a sad smile. Her voice now carrying more optimism.

"Well, its nothing a bit of dusting won't fix. I should go and head out to town, get the essentials. Why don't you two stay and start cleaning up."

"Yes, mama.", May answered. As she watched her mother walk out of the house, seeing the car slowly drive in the direction of the main town.

May's father kneeled down again, his hand on her shoulder, "...let's start cleaning then, little flower why don't you go up and choose a room, get settled in.", he suggested.

"Ok papa"