Hawk Feathers Settle in Verdant Resonance

Chapter 1 – Kazunari Turns Seven

[AN: I don't really understand street addressing Japan so the street address but I tried.]

Takao Junichi-san and his wife Shiori-san, of X-X-X Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Hokkaido Prefecture 098-4104 were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious because they just didn't hold that such nonsense. That was until the evening of their eldest son's seventh birthday.

It was a cold evening and nothing stirred through sleet and mist. Everything was in different shades of grey except for the peculiar, scarlet petals that had manifested from nowhere and were following along with heavy yet graceful rhythm on a refreshing breeze.

They swished and swirled along a gentle zephyr until they collected in front of an average home on an average street. It was cold and the streetlights flickered before dying. The petals swirled and swirled. A tall woman materialised at the centre. She had a chipper smile and she rang the bell. She took in her surroundings.

The house was small with an unkempt garden currently hidden with snow and outdoorsy children's toys. The windows had yellow curtains drawn shut but a little bit of light filtered through and illuminated the soft snow on the windowsills. The house was very western to say the least.

Most houses are nowadays, the woman mused as she waited. She missed the style she had been born alongside but people told her change was progress. A clutzy noise broke her nostalgic reverie. She heard bumbling footsteps that had burst from a confused pause that until then had been a song. The woman couldn't catch the tune or the lyrics. Perhaps she should have waited. Perhaps she had chosen a bad time.

The door slid open. The woman was given a breath of warmth and red bloomed across her face. She could see her breath in front of her and the breath of the children who had opened the door for her. Their parents were close behind her, all their feet bare and their toes curling from the cold that was leaking into their warm and cosy house. The woman smiled joyously.

'Good evening!' the woman sung with a cheery smile. She had long hair that was a shiny black and soft, green eyes. She had a face thick with make-up as her lips were crimson. Strong eyebrows, and of course was taller than the average Japanese man. She was tall and spry, almost like a sinewy tree.

The younger child, the girl, tossed her head back and barked at her parents: 'Mama, this lady looks weird!'

'Oh, don't say that Ryo-chan.' the mother roused. She bent down and picked her daughter up. Her son stared curiously at the strange woman.

The woman laughed earnestly. 'I am a weird woman though.' she confessed.

'Would you explain yourself?' the father of the household asked.

'With pleasure but there is a lot to be discussed. Would you please invite me inside? It's for your sake, not mine. I don't want anyone catching their death out here. That would be terrible... and rather in-character for me... actually.' the woman rambled. She had a breezy manner of speaking and spoke as though what she was going to say was already known.

'Can we let her in, please, please, please?' the boy asked begging. He had wide eyes that were blue as steel.

'Yes, please, please, please?' the woman mimicked.

The parents were hesitant, understandable and common. 'Ryo-chan, Kazu-kun, go inside for a bit. Eat some cake. We will be a minute.' their mother said. The children obeyed and scurried off, eager for cake.

'Could you please explain yourself.' the father asked again.

'I want cake and I want to go inside and I want to tell everyone the fortunate news at once!' the woman sulked. She stamped her feet.

Her beautiful kimono rippled as she spoke. It was nothing like the husband and wife of the household had seen before. It was shimmering and the patterns seemed to move. It looked ethereal and ancient; as though it ought to belong to the first Empress of Japan. The woman even had the royal headdress to match.

'Who sent you here?' the mother asked.

'I sent myself here. It is my duty to explain the unusual circumstances abound to the parents of children such as yours.' the woman piped up. Her eyes glistened; they widened. 'Oh! I get it out now! I remember now... You are the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great...' The woman kept going as the parents stared confounded until she eventually gave up after repeating herself fifty times.

'Well anyways, I knew one of your ancestors. He was a very nice man... His name was Sugawara Takehiro; he was a very courteous man. In fact, he taught me how to craft my staffs – I mean, wands... I don't like calling them wands – and thanks to him I am who I am now. His miniature staff was ash with Kirin hair, twelve inches and springy... I do believe anyway, it's been over seven hundred years since I last talked to him. It's a shame he died with only Squibs to inherit his name...'

The woman glanced at the man. Again, her eyes lit up with delight. 'And I remember one of your ancestors too. Her name was Yotsuya Hanako; she was a fearsome woman and I'm glad I never angered her. I would so not be alive now if I did that. She was ebony, dragon heartstring, a whopping nineteen inches, and very much unyielding. I remember that quite well because her miniature staff was not so miniature. It's probably a good thing that her children didn't inherit anything but her name off of her.'

The woman giggled then sighed. 'It only took a few hundred years for both bloodlines to re-emerge which is a good thing. We need fresh blood. And I sense a lot of good blood in you two so I have faith that your children will become fine students at my school.'

She pardoned herself with an embarrassed gesture. 'I can't believe that I'm only mentioning that now. I am so, so, so sorry. Its' just I'm such a chatter box. I betray myself like that... Chiasa-han always reprimands that for me... well, not always as we rarely meet up with each other but anyways, without further ado, I better hold-up and explain. My name is Kofuku and I am Crowned Wand Maker of Mahoutokoro Gakuen. I am here to have you both understand that Takao Kazunari is enrolled for four years' time and now is the period of preparation and advisory study that can be undertaken.'

Things became a lot stranger than necessary with the arrival of the woman named Kofuku. The parents stared, frightened and stunned, but also blown away by the chattering and whimsical person that stood before them. Although, person was something of a loose term here as she talked about ancestors the pair did not know of so intimately that it conveyed that she did know those people within her life even though she looked as young as the snow.

Kofuku smiled. 'Now, can we please continue inside? You will almost definitely lose your toes if we keep talking in the doorway like this. I'm happy to stay here and talk like this into the dawn but it feels as though it will snow quite heavy tonight.'

As she spoke, a diamond dust snow began to fall lightly upon what had already fallen.

The parents made the risky decision of letting the strange, tall woman inside their house. She left her sandals at the door and floated through their house. She wandered through hallways cluttered with miscellaneous knickknacks and bad architectural choices. She seated herself at their table with their children; who had icing smeared across their faces and huge smiles. Their daughter gave her a slice of cake which she accepted graciously.

She looked at it as though it were an enemy though. 'I'm a very naughty girl who really shouldn't eat sweets. It's really not good for me but I think I shall anyway as it is rude to reject what is given to you.' she said and she swabbed some of the icing off her slice. She licked her finger clean and smiled. 'It's delicious!' she announced to the children. They giggled at how she carried herself.

Their parents seated themselves and the woman slid the cake away from her. 'We really ought to talk business.' she said. 'Children, you can call me Kofuku-nee-chan. Or, well, anything really. I don't particularly mind. I am the Crowned Wand Maker of Mahoutokoro Gakuen but I also do meet-and-greets such as these.' She smiled. There was something sinister about this smile though. 'But before you introduce yourselves, I already know your names: Takao Kazunari and his younger sister Ryoko. Children to Takao Junichi and his wife, Shiori – maiden name Maeda.'

The children blinked and their faces grew into wide grins. The parents were unsettled.

'How did you know that?' Kazunari asked.

'I'm psychic.' she replied. 'And so are you and even little Ryoko-chan here.'

'Really?' Kazunari frowned.

'Well, sort of. You can choose to be psychic if you so wish but I have your staff ready and I crafted it for you in mind and I believe you will find that you will excel in areas such as transfiguration and enchantments. I refuse to say anything more than that because I don't want to ruin the surprise.' Kofuku replied.

'Me next! Me next! You said I'm sai-kiku too!' Ryoko-chan yipped.

'Hm... I haven't made your wand yet. I was going to do that tomorrow actually but I think that your miniature staff is likely to be of a curious, multi-faceted wood that will be paired with a gift from a Kawauso inside it.' Kofuku replied. 'But nothing more than that will I give away and once again, I've probably said too much.'

Kofuku turned to the parents. 'I don't know how to break it to you but I've left some hints but your children possess magic. Kazunari-chan can begin his preliminary studies, if he so wishes but young Ryoko-chan will have to wait a little longer – three years? She's four isn't she?'

The parents stared at the woman.

'You don't believe me?' she asked.

'Can you do magic, Kofuku-nee-chan?' Kazunari asked.

'A little bit. I'm more of a magical being than a magical person. I can transfigure you into a bee, if you like but I doubt your parents would.' Kofuku giggled. 'Instead, I'll just do this.'

Scarlet petals manifested spontaneously and drifted around the room. A weak scent perfumed the air but it was recognisable nonetheless as the fragrance of a camellia flower. The children watched awed but their parents begged for an explanation.

'How did you do that?' the father asked.

'Magic.' Kofuku replied. 'But as the parents of a little wizard and a little witch, surely you've seen something before. Something out of the ordinary. Something a little strange, if you will.' She giggled at her own private joke.

The mother sighed, furrowed her brows. 'Kazunari can go up to any bird and immediately befriend it. Yesterday, in the park, he had all sorts of sparrows, pigeons, passerines, and even a goshawk perched on him.'

Kazunari giggled. 'The birds're my friends.' he announced.

'A few months ago, when Ryo-chan had a tantrum, I found crayon marks on the ceiling in perfect circles?' the father added.

The parents were unsure. There seemed to be perfectly reasonable and completely normal explanations for other those events. But they kept trawling through their memories nonetheless and a few other unusual incidents came to mind: incidents that were bizarre but unquestioned because it seemed feasible that a young child would be capable of.

'I can't force you to believe me – besides, that's not within my job description – but please understand that once your children are of age, they will be expected to attend Mahoutokoro Gakuen; which is one of the most prestigious schools for magic in the world. I do believe we are ranked second only to Hogwarts of England.' Kofuku explained.

The parents were impressed. They'd never heard of Hogwarts but they realised that with such a specialisation, it had to be stunning that their children were ascribed to go to such a school. Then realisation crossed them.

'Where is Mahoutokoro?' their mother asked.

'Minami Iwo Jima. Don't worry, it's well protected and the surrounding villages are friendly and trusted. We have a higher survival rate compared to Hogwarts.' Kofuku replied.

'And what about expenses?' their father asked.

'Bed and board are covered. Transport is covered. Everything is supplied by the schools although extra things can be bought at the surrounding villages; but no necessities such as cauldrons or robes.' Kofuku answered.

'Transport?' their mother asked.

'Well, we can't let non-magical folk realise that there is magic so this is some pretty hush-hush stuff. You can't talk about it with anyone else unless they're also, like, the non-magical parents of a magical child, or already a wizard or witch. Anyways, transport will be provided by our flock of storm petrel-' Kofuku broke off.

She turned into a bout of hysterics.

'Are you okay?' their mother asked.

'Oh sorry, we tell the westerners that. Silly, silly westerners. As if a flock of storm petrel could transport people. Instead, we choose to hire Oboroguruma.' Kofuku explained with a red face from her laughter.

She paused. 'Now, let me see... what are some other things I need to cover? Oh! I know: technology is also something of a no-no at Mahoutokoro. Magic can take centuries to adjust to non-magical devices. For example, right now only a telephone switchboard from around the mid-eighteen hundreds would be compatible with Mahoutokoro. Visitation... yes, that's something else I need to talk about. Well, visitation from non-magical parents is prohibited in any and all circumstances however but letters are encouraged. You can send letters through the school's flock of owls. We'll loan you one when we send Kazunari-chan's official letter of acceptance out. Do I need to cover anything else or have I fulfilled my duties here well?'

The parents were blown away. The children were enamoured with the tall woman's tall tales. The parents couldn't think of anything further to ask. They suspected that even if they asked how magic works, they wouldn't get an explanation that they could follow or seemed even vaguely logical.

'I believe you have given us sufficient information.' the father replied, hesitant and unnerved. This was a lot to take in at once; especially with the silly delivery.

Kofuku groaned and scolded herself.

'Oh no, I haven't! Gosh, I missed what's probably the most important thing! I'm so forgetful. But I think I can be forgiven on that – after all, I'm seven hundred and seventy-two this year. I'm getting old. Ish. I forgot to ask, would you like me to sign Kazunari up for Mahoutokoro Gakuen's cram school or should I organise a community cram school? I do believe there should already be one in the area with, eight other students of varying ages? Mostly those who are coming to the school soon actually or are refreshing their knowledge on certain courses. The cram school service is temporary, two hours every day after school except on Sundays and an Oboroguruma will transport Kazunari there.' Kofuku asked.

The parents didn't like the idea of their seven year old Kazunari leaving them for some strange school on what was supposed to be an uninhabited island. It wouldn't be so bad if they could visit and gain an understanding of their school through firsthand experience but since they could not, Kofuku's second option was much more appealing. They decided to sign Kazunari up for "community cram school" instead.

Kofuku smiled and she ate her slice of cake. 'Thank you for the food. It was lovely. And more importantly, thank you for your time. I'm sorry if it was bit of an information dump, I'm such a motor mouth. I don't know where I get that from? I'm a Furutsubaki no Rei after all, haha. And my sisters aren't anything like me either? They're proper Furutsubaki no Rei through and through. But I think it's the loneliness. I don't get very many visitors in my garden and my workshop... because they're not allowed but no matter.'

Kofuku shook her head and brought herself back to focus.

'I hope to keep in touch with you all; well, actually, that's an empty sentiment. I don't really have time for it. I will send an owl soon instructions with to a teacher in the local area, a Shinto priest I hear he is nowadays. His name is Fukunaga Ittetsu. I remember him telling me that his staff was completely unsuited to him but it would appear that I am right. He was an alder wood of ten inches with a phoenix core and a very, very flexible and springy composition. That sort of staff was made for a pious man. Any-who... expect an owl soon with a letter, I best be off. Thank you for your time and remember: nobody can breathe a word about the magical community to outsiders; especially since you are outsiders. Japanese wizards are Muggle tolerant but its' still not pretty. A lot of superiority complex stuff. Well, have a good evening and Kazunari-chan; do enjoy the rest of your birthday.'

Kofuku rose from her seat and bowed to the parents and children. She farewelled them and vanished from inside the house in a loose cluster of scarlet petals. Everyone in the household was awed by the disappearance of the bizarre Furutsubaki no Rei.

'Where'd she go, Mama?' Ryoko asked, wide-eyed and confounded.

'I-I don't know, sweetheart.' her mother replied. 'But she is gone now.' There wasn't even a petal remaining now. They had dissipated into thin air and the weak, flowery smell had waned further too.

Kazunari jumped up onto his father's lap. 'So I can use magic?' he asked.

'A-Apparently so.' his father replied.

'That's so cool. I can't wait to tell all my friends. Do you think they'll be jealous? Do you think they can use magic too...' Kazunari tittered.

'Kazu-kun, I'm afraid that this is something we will have to keep to ourselves.' his father replied.

'Aw, how come?' Kazunari asked.

He looked into his father with a confused expression. He seemed to be under the impression that it wasn't just him and Ryoko in the family who were magical.

His father grimaced. 'Because you don't want to make your friends jealous do you? It's not becoming of a young man.' he replied. In all actuality, he had a vague idea about why based off of what this society was like and what Kofuku had mentioned.

However, he would imagine much bullying would ensue; a dash of disbelief and an uncertain future. Things had shifted dramatically in the past hour because of that tall woman's presence.