Even Immortals Fear the Reaper: Chapter 1
She Had to Walk Into My Bar
I should have walked out the back door the moment that Kappa strolled through the front one. But me and my curiosity just couldn’t let that happen. Instead I sat there with a fag watching the scaly deity look around and then walk straight to me. And here I paid good money to make sure no one knew where I had gone. I’d be demanding a refund after this.
“Shinigami-sama, we need your help.” The Kappa asked, and I took a deep puff of my menthol before shaking my head. My legs dropped from the chair I had used as a footstool and I closed my eyes while pinching the bridge of my nose.
“I’m not a shinigami. And I don’t do help. You have the wrong person.” I explained, waving my hand away with a stream of smoke before taking another puff and looking away. The Kappa stared at me, I could feel it; I think I stunned it.
“But… you are the only one who can help. They’ve gotten out of control. Before long there won’t be a Japan left! Please!” The Kappa cried and got down on the floor, hands and knees all over that peanut filled floor. And… of all things the Kappa lowered her head to me, showing the plate of water that held her power.
“You have got to be kidding me.” I sighed and stood up, grabbing the Kappa by the arm and pulling her to her feet. I glared at her and flicked a piece of ash from the tip of my fag on the floor. “Look, I don’t have to do anything. Japan always has too many deities, and then this always happens. I spent enough time there already and I’m not about to go back.”
The Kappa’s beak quivered almost like chattering teeth, but her eyes were hard and strong. It was clear she had done a lot to be able to track me down. Hell, a Kappa hardly ever left the Asian regions, so seeing one in London was rather significant. Things had to be bad over there since I stopped reaping.
I sighed. “Fine, I’ll listen. But I’m not guaranteeing anything. Just don’t call me a shinigami again. It’s the least I can do if you came this far.”
I let go of the Kappa and she instantly bowed to me. “Thank you, so much.” She lifted her head up, “If you don’t mind me asking, what should I call you?”
I thought for a moment. My adopted human name could work, but that was no fun. “Shi, call me Shi.”
The lizard-like deity gave me a look of fright, but she knew who I was if she came to me calling me a damn shinigami. As if I was someone that low. To be fair though there wasn’t really a word for what I was, or any kind of ceremonial name like Amateratsu.
“With me.” I called back to the Kappa as I turned and trashed my bud in the ash trash, before walking behind the bar. That Kappa was right on my heels too, she certainly wasn’t timid. That was a plus at least.
We reached a back room where I occasionally played poker with a few long-standing members in London; the few deities that knew I was still around. Other than a few cruddy chairs and the very expensive felt table there wasn’t much, except a few storage items for the bar.
I took a seat at one of the chairs and waved my hand for the Kappa to have a seat too. She chose to stand though, and I shrugged.
She didn’t say anything though, and started to dig through a bag at her side. I rolled my eyes and said, “So spill, now.”
She jumped and nodded lightly, pulling a small envelope out and handing it to me. “I apologize for the delay. I had forgotten where I placed this, and was told to give it to you if you agreed to talk to me.”
My eyebrows furrowed and I glanced down at the envelope. I didn’t have anything on me to open it, and it always took minutes for me to force them open. The flaps were held down with an impossible glue. Still I took the time to peel the flap off, nearly ripping the whole envelope in the process, while the Kappa just stood in front of me.
“You don’t have some kind of spiel or something while I’m fiddling with this?” I asked while eyeing up at her. She looked a little nervous, but just shook her head, and I went to pulling the folded paper out of the envelope.
“I’m supposed to wait until you read that.” She explained and I just nodded and tossed the envelope on the table. So she had been sent here under orders, who could command a Kappa to come this far though?
“Suit your—“ I paused as I looked at the first few words of the still-folded note. My lower lip dropped a smidge and I read the full front note.
The girl before you is your daughter.
Her name is Shima.
- Mizu
I would have laughed, but the signature was from one of the few people who could have produced a Kappa child that would technically, genetically be my daughter.
I looked back up at the Kappa girl. We did have a few similar features, same muddy-colored eyes, slight nose, and strong chin, but otherwise a mostly doll-like Japanese face. She probably looked even more similar to me if she projected her human shape at me. But she was likely told not to, and to just keep up appearances for the humans. It was a sign of respect thing with Japanese deities.
Still, her looks didn’t mean she was my daughter. “Shima,” I began and she jumped in surprise. “Would you mind showing me your human shape?”
“Uh…” She was definitely hesitant at the thought, which probably meant she’s never been asked before. “I don’t think I should.”
“It would help with my decision.” I added. It was true. Even if this girl wasn’t my daughter, if there was any one thing that would drag me back to Japan it would be because I had real family that would be screwed without me there.
She nodded and her body shimmered. It was almost like she was composed of water and a ripple was running through her from a stone being dropped in her. Then suddenly she looked human. Not just human, she looked like she could be my younger sister.
My eyes ran back down to the letter, as I flipped the rest of it open. It was written in clear Japanese, which I was never amazing at, but I understood the gist of it.
My Love,
I know this is a shock, and you likely just tried some test to see if she really is your daughter. I want you to know I was not keeping her from you. She’s only a year fresh, molded from your genes, and a touch of mine. This means she doesn’t know that much about the world. You must think I sent her because I thought that would be the best way to get you to come back, but that is not the case. I sent her so she could know her other parent, and even if you chose not to come back and help with this dire situation, I beg of you to please at least keep her with you.
As for the situation, I will not hold anything against you if you decide not to help. One of the deities here has gotten out of control though and things would not turn into a terrible and dangerous civil war if you could easily eliminate the issue.
I will let Shima explain the details. She also has two plane tickets waiting to return to Japan, if you chose to go. However, knowing you, you have likely already made up your mind. Please hear her out.
Even if you do not come back, I still love you.
Always,
Mizu
“Bloody hell, Mizu.” I groaned and shook my head. Of course she wouldn’t answer the one question I would want to know: Is Shima aware that she’s my daughter?
My attention drew back up to the Kappa, still in her human shape. “Okay, let’s go.”
She blinked at me, “But, don’t you want me to explain what’s going on? Did… what did that letter say?”
I stood up and pushed in my chair. “That doesn’t matter. You can explain on the way. We have a flight to catch, right?”
She blinked again, while otherwise frozen stiff. “Yes, but it doesn’t leave till later today.”
“I still have to pack, which doesn’t leave much time to get there.”
Shima seemed to hesitate for a moment but then looked toward the door. “Well, can you tell me what changed your mind, at least?”
I opened the door and laid a hand on her back. This is where my great tact comes in.
“You are my daughter.” I said, then pushed her through the doorway.
