The Shapeshifter of Takiyasha

The Shapeshifter of Takiyasha

By E.S. Winter

To Scott: Thank you for the prompt.

I hope you enjoy this tale, that was inspired by you.

"Hurry children, we can't miss our boarding!"

My father- James Bayfield- urges my sister and I toward the docking port where the ships await. I'm annoyed that we're going on another business trip, but I'm also mesmerized by the swaying sails and colorful flags. I try to linger behind to watch them, but my mother- Marie Bayfield- ushers us forward as whistles begin to blow. I turn to ask what they're signaling, but we're joined by a flurry of other travellers, all hurrying to their chosen vessles. Some are leaving for work, others for vacation. I turn a bit green with envy as I watch a boy my age scramble onto a fancy cruise ship. How lucky.

I sigh and turn my gaze toward the ship we'll be on for the next twelve days- give or take, depending on the weather, so my father says. It's an old looking thing, with worn paint and a generally dirty appearance. My parents picked it for its 'history and authentic charm.'

"Oh, you're going to love it Scott!" my mother had assured me, green eyes twinkling beneath her auburn bangs. "We'll get to watch dolphins and whales during their migration season!"

"And I can teach you how to fish!" My father had exclaimed, tousling my honey-blonde hair, a trait I shared with him. I rolled my eyes and said sarcastically,

"Yippee."

That's all they talked about for weeks. I don't think they realize that most thirteen-year-old's don't care about fishing. My parents both work for the National Marine Biology and Research Association, or NMBRA. My younger sister- Charlotte, who's only eight- and I are often are pulled away from school to join them on thier research trips. This time they'll be studying migration patterns of some whale or another, as we make our way from Canada to Kyoto, Japan. They say they want us to have 'real life experience' and 'hands-on education,' but I think they just can't be bothered to think about anything but their jobs. They've worked as marine biologists long before I was even born, and I'm sure they'll continue long after I'm gone. Probably after Charlotte grows up too. The idea that they'll be these embarrassing, obsessive science nerds for my whole life makes a little bile rise in my throat.

We approach our vessel and I wrinkle my nose at the dingy boat, wishing I could join the other boy on the cruise ship. Up close, it's even more ghastly. The faded black of the Hull clashes with the royal blue paint peeling from the Bow- Dad repeatedly pointed out the different parts of a ship on a diagram he thought I'd be interested in, so unfortunately it's burned into my memory- the sails are stained from salt water and attached to masts that are half rotting, and black smoke carrying a peculiar smell wafts out from the funnels.

I'm just about to start gagging and faking ill when a shadow falls across the boarding plank. My eyes follow it up to a broad-shouldered, middle aged man in a midnight blue uniform. Patches adorn his chest on the left side, three gold stripes and a set of three embroidered gold flowers, each having five petals. His eyes drift down to mine and I'm more mesmerized than I had been with the sails lining the dock. A pair of stern, deep brown eyes beneath dark bangs pierce into me, as we make our way up the boardwalk. A polite but curt smile crosses his face as he nods to my father, then my mother.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bayfield, welcome, I am Captain Taira, it is a pleasure to meet you." His voice carries a thick accent, but he speaks fluently. Dad extends his hand in greeting.

"Captain Taira, wonderful to make your aquaintence!" The man stares at my fathers' hand as if there is something repulsive at the end of it. He keeps his hands behind his back and gives another of his curt smiles, then turns to my mother, bowing slightly.

"This must be your family, Madam- and...?" He turns his firm gaze on Charlotte and myself.

My sister- who is usually so buoyant around strangers to the point of incessant chatter- now stands behind my mother, peeking out from under her ginger hair. Captain Taira's gaze bores into her, and she ducks back behind mom.

"This is Charlotte." My mother chimes in. "She's usually so eager to meet new people, must be a bit tired today. This is Scott, our oldest." She places a hand on my shoulder, and I watch the man's eyes flicker towards me. He nods, and one edge of his mouth curves upwards. I find myself smiling back, and return his nod. I have a feeling this lame vacation just got a little more interesting.

He reigns his attention back to my parents. "Your quarters are in the lower deck, Starboard side, room 45. There are two beds and one cot, you will have to share. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask." At this he blows a whistle, my mother yelps and Charlotte covers her ears.

"All aboard the Inaugural Voyage of the Takiyasha Hime. Twelve days until we make port!" Captain Taira places a rigid hand against his brow, salutes, and then marches off toward the Bridge.

My parents jostle nervously with our luggage, stumbling onto the Upper Deck as crewmen below unknot the mooring ropes, and set the boat free. I turn to my father as we head for the Lower Deck.

"Dad... what does Inaugural mean?"

He helps mom arrange their things onto a caddy and answers, "It means this is the first voyage of this ship since it was decommisioned some years back. It was brought back into service specifically for this voyage. Amazing right, you lucky kids are going to learn so much on this trip!"

I look around as they fuss with the bags, and a sudden realization hits me. There are four other groups on this boat. Only one of them has kids, but they're Charlottes age, maybe even younger. I give a disheartened sigh and drag my sister along behind our parents, as we all squeeze into a tiny elevator. No other kids my age. Isn't that just swell.

Room 45 was cramped and had a musty, damp feel to it. My parents claimed one bed for themselves, and offered the choice of either Charlotte and I sharing the other, or having the cot to myself. As if there was even a choice.

"I'd rather sleep on the poop deck." I mumble to myself as I crawl under the blankets on the cot. My parents either don't hear me, or ignore my remarks. Charlotte is already snoozing away with her favorite teddy tucked in her arms.

The day had consisted of exploring the different areas of the ship, most of which were boring- save for a stairwell that lead down into the deepest level of the ship, strange machinery noises filtering up from it.

"What's down there?" I had asked my father, but one of the nearby crew members answered instead. "That is the Engine Room. No travellers allowed." He was a short man, with the same accent as Captain Taira.

There weren't many crewmen, but the few aboard were all very quiet and kept to themselves, unless a passenger strayed into prohibited areas. I stared at the man as he shuffled away, mumbling absent-mindedly to himself.

We obeyed his orders and wandered to other parts of the boat, all of which either had nothing of interest, or held old historical plaques about how the ship was made, or specific voyages it had undertaken. All of it was boring to me, and all I could think about was finding a way to break free from my sibling-watching duties and explore the more secretive areas on my own. I managed to slip away and find the Captains' Cabin, and was just about to turn the doorknob when one of the crew members found me.

"Do not wander alone young master, very dangerous to be alone here." He whispered, his eyes flickering back to the Captain's door.

He quietly returned me to my parents, who were captivated by some sea turtles gliding beside the ship, and hadn't noticed my absence. They were deep in ecstatic conversation about what breeds of turtles they might encounter on the voyage. I was grateful the man hadn't ratted me out and turned to thank him, but he was already gone. I sighed and leaned against the railing, watching the turtles pass by. They were kind of cool. I guess.

As I lay replaying the events of the day in my mind, I could hear the soft snoring of my mother, signaling that my parents were asleep. My mind drifted back to the Engine Room. There was something mysterious about that place. My spine tingled as the sense of adventure called out to me. If I was quiet, and quick, I could sneak a peek down there and be back before anyone even noticed. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them, right?

I slid silently from the cot, being careful to step delicately onto the floorboards so they wouldn't creak. Another downside to lame old ships. I tip-toed over to my shoes and coat, and slipped them on. Our door was a little creaky, so I opened it just enough to slip through, and then closed it behind me again. Making my way through the corridor in the dark was a little tricky, I had to mind a few picture frames and caninets, but I managed to reach the ladder heading to the upper deck without knocking anything over.

The air was brisk and cold ocean spray greeted my face as I stepped out onto the poop deck. Contrary to what I'd said earlier, sleeping out here would not have been great, and I was glad to at least have a warm room. I made my way across the deck, toward the corridor that lead to the Engine Room's staircase. About half way there, a glint caught my eye, and I watched Captain Taira step out from his cabin. I froze, not sure whether I should retreat back to my room or make a dash for the Engine Room.

It only took a millisecond for him to notice me, and I was sure I'd be in deep trouble. He stopped to examine me, and once his eyes adjusted, recognition crossed his face, and he smiled. Not the polite smirk like when we boarded the ship, but a toothy grin that showed his yellowing teeth, one of his canines missing.

It wasn't menacing however- he actually looked a bit bashful as he tipped his hat and said, "Couldn't sleep either? Breezy nights like this are best for midnight strolls."

I nod back, equally bashful, and reply, "Right. Any suggestions for where to stroll?"

He considered me for a moment, then said, "Come, I'll show you the one with the best view."

I had to keep myself from skipping with glee down the deck to join him. Not only was I going to see a cool, secret spot on the ship, but I had the Captain's permission to wander about. We walked in silence for a few minutes, the only noise being the waves crashing into the Hull, and our footsteps. Well, mine anyway. The Captain's footfalls were nearly imperceptible, I sounded like an elephant next to him.

I look around as we walk and realize there are no crew members around, so I ask, "Why are you the only one out here, where are all the Crewmen?"

He continues walking and replies, "The crew are asleep. They do not dare come out at night."

I think about asking him what that means, but then decide I'd rather not push my luck. He guides us up along the Starboard side, below the Control Room, to a ladder that leads up on top of the Bridge. He motions for me to go first, and I climb uneasily as the wind picks up. Captain Taira follows behind me, and we step onto a catwalk with a railing. The view is breathtaking.

Miles of ocean stretch out before us, waves lapping gently on every side. The water and sky are nearly indistinguishable and give the illusion that we're floating in space, but the stars... the stars are brilliant and countless, like nothing I've ever seen. I can only gape in stunned wonder, and for the first time, I understand a little of my parents fascination with the sea. The Captain watches me, and I turn to him, unsure of how to express the overwhelming sensation. He smiles gently, looking at the sky with all the admiration reflected in my own eyes.

"Beautiful. Isn't it?"

"I've never seen anything like this!" I release my breath, shivering a little from the excitement, and the cold. He pulls off his jacket and sets it on my shoulders, revealing the white, collared button-up shirt beneath.

"I guess this is why you became a Captain." I ponder out loud. His smile fades, and a frown settles in the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.

"No." He replies, a hint of bitterness in his tone, "I became a Captain because of this ship."

I frown at his sudden change of demeanor, and wonder why the subject bothers him. Before I can ask, he continues.

"This ship is named the Takiyasha Hime, or Princess Takiyasha in your tongue. It was named after the legend of a powerful sorceress who- like this ship- was an unstoppable force. I was given charge of it many years ago, to protect it so that nothing stands in it's way, so that it may fulfill it's destiny." He pauses, his eyes tightening as he focuses on some distant memory.

"That sounds... intense." I stammer a sort of apology for bringing it up. A few seconds pass, and he snaps out of it, the gentle smile returning.

"It is just a legend, of course. A silly story. Do you like stories, young master?" His use of 'master' makes me feel older and more mature. I clear my throat and reply nonchalantly, "Uh, you can just call me Scott, and yeah um... they're ok." He chuckles at my feigned indifference, and I feel my face turn red.

"Well, there is an old tale that the Takiyasha Hime is haunted. Do you believe in ghosts?" Captain Taira raises an eyebrow at me, and I swallow.

"N-not really."

He continues, "Apparently there is a ghost on board this vessel, as old as the ship itself. It calls to those who wander alone at night, looking for brave souls to devour." He grins wickedly, and I catch on that he is warning me. No more wandering the ship alone at night. I sigh in resignation, guess the adventure is over.

"Alright, I can take a hint. I won't go around the ship alone anymore." I hold up my hand like I'm swearing an oath.

He chuckles again and replies, "Good boy."

Then he plucks his coat off my shoulders and swivels me around to face the the ladder, and we descend down onto the poop deck. Once we're below, he leads me to the entrance to the lower deck, and bows.

"It was nice having your company, young master." I awkardly bow back, unsure of the proper reciprocation. He seems to recieve it well enough, straightening up and pacing toward the Captain's Cabin.

I hesitate, but then I can't help myself and blurt out, "Captain Taira? If you can't sleep tomorrow night, I could keep you company again. It must get lonely, being stuck on this dusty old ship all the time."

He pauses, hand resting on the doorknob. Without looking at me, he replies, "Lonely... yes, I suppose it does."

"Well then, see you tomorrow." Without another word, he slips inside, and I make my way back to my room.

I'm a little more clumsy on the way back, the salt and cold air having tired me out. I stumble into Room 45 and close the door as quietly as I can behind me. My mother is no longer snoring, but I hear the heavy breathing of both my parents in deep sleep, and Charlotte's little murmurs as she dreams. I put my shoes and coat back in their place, and wrap myself in the warm blankets on the cot. It's only a few seconds after my head hits the pillow that I start to dream.

I dream of a rickety old boat tossing on the waves, and a weary captain in a midnight blue coat, with sad eyes.

I visit the Captain every night, for the next eight nights. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we stroll in silence, and there is this ever-present air that the captain is hiding a sad secret from me. He doesn't say anything to indicate so, I just get this feeling. He hasn't spoken of the ghost story since that first night, and when I press him for more he changes the subject. So I tell him about my life; having parents who work all the time, my annoying sister- who has made it her goal to copy anything I say the last three days and is driving me mental- and the few friends I have at school, when I'm actually there. I sort of miss them.

My nose scrunches up as I talk about them to the captain. He maintains a sympathetic look as I go on about my troubles. Afterwards, as always, he walks me back to the lower deck stairwell. I attempt to ask him again about the ghost story.

"It's no business for young boys." He replies, and I feel a bit of heat touch my face in indignation.

"I wish everyone would stop treating me like a child." I grumble, "I'm thirteen." He smiles, but says no more, so I turn and head back to my room.

Upon returning, I see a light flickering in our doorway. Only my father uses a candle in this day and age. I swallow hard as I hear him and my mother whispering frantically.

"Where is he? What if he went for a walk and fell overboard or something?"

My mother is on the edge of panic, as my father replies, "Calm down Marie, I'm sure he's alright, I'll go look for him."

Before he can get his shoes on, I enter the room. My mother sets down the candle that she's been hovering over my cot with, grabbing my shoulders and facing me toward her.

"Where have you been?" Her voice cracks and then lowers into a whisper again, so as not to wake Charlotte.

I hesitate for a moment, then say, "I... went to use the public bathroom. Our toilet wasn't... flushing or... something's wrong with it." I stumble over words, praying they accept my excuse. My father turns the light on in the tiny half bathroom of our quarters, pressing the handle of the toilet down. It gives a gurgled flush.

"Seems fine to me." He stares at me expectantly. He always knows when I'm lying. Usually I would crack and confess, but this time I hold my ground. I can't let them know about my excursions with the captain, it's the only fun I've had on this trip.

When I don't answer, they look at each other, then my mother says, "I know we haven't been able to many fun things as a family on this trip, but wandering around on a ship at night in the middle of the ocean is very dangerous-"

"And irresponsible." My father chimes in. She nods and looks back to me. "Once we get to Kyoto, it'll be better. There's so much to do and see, I promise." She reaches to stroke my hair, but I pull away. She looks hurt by the action, but I don't care.

"That's what you always say. You always say it will be fun, or that I'll love something, but it never turns out that way. I'm tired of going on these stupid trips with you guys, I want to go home! I want to see my friends at school and be normal, like the other kids!" They stare at me, shocked. It's the first time I've really told them how I feel about the way we live.

"Honey, I understand this can all be difficult sometimes, but we're doing it for you and Charlotte. We want you to have better opportunities and-"

I cut my father off. "You're not doing it for us, you're doing it for yourselves! You don't give a crap about how I feel!" I storm over to my cot and sit down, crossing my arms angrily, but not daring to look at them.

"Scott, do not talk to your mother that way!" Dad's voice has an angry edge to it, but I meet his gaze defiantly.

"Or what? You'll ground me? Go ahead, there's nothing to do and nowhere for me to go anyways!" I stuff my feet under the covers and pull them up over my head, knowing what's coming.

Mom stays silent, and Dad replies quietly. "I'm sorry you feel that way son, but you're still grounded. Do not leave this room without permission again, or there will be consequences." I hear my mother sigh heavily, my father rubbing her shoulder as they extinguish the candle and crawl back into bed.

Silence fills the room, and I'm left to ruminate on my angry thoughts until my eyelids grow heavy. The last thought I have before sleep takes me are all sorts of wishes I know will never happen. Wishing to be back at school with my friends. Wishing my parents were someone else's problem. Wishing I could do anything but stay on this miserable boat with my miserable family.

"Even finding a ghost would be better than sitting here alone, day after day." I think to myself, as I finally drift into sleep.

The next couple days, my parents are in a frenzy trying to make records of their findings during the trip, and plan their visit to Kyoto. They also stay up long after Charlotte and I have gone to bed, so I'm unable to see the Captain. I walk around all day by myself, hoping to run into him to apologize, but never bumping into him. Then I lay awake well into the night, praying and wishing for something to happen. Anything to shake up this dull, soul-sucking reality. The night before we're supposed to make port, I get my chance.

My parents let their guard down, only staying up until eleven o'clock before they give in and go to sleep. I wait for two full hours, not daring to move a muscle until I'm confident they are both in dreamland. I can't take it anymore, and flip the covers back, stuffing my pillow and an extra blanket underneath to look like I'm still snoozing away in the cot. I quietly pull my shoes on and sneak out the door.

Out in the crisp, salty air, I call out to the Captain. He appears a moment later, looking annoyed. "You did not come." His dark eyes study me coldly, and I feel guilty for letting him down.

"I'm sorry, my parents found out about me leaving at night and grounded me, I couldn't get away until now." He eyes me warily, and I'm worried for a moment that he'll send me back to the room. After a few moments of consideration, he seems to accept my apology, and motions for me to follow him. I obey and we ascend the ladder leading to the top of the Bridge.

Once above, he points across the waters, and I can see land on the star-spackled horizon. My heart sinks, as I realize we'll be disembarking into Japan tomorrow. These peaceful strolls with Captain Taira will be over and I'll have to return to my lonely reality. In that moment, my heart aches so badly that I wish for something- anything- that could change that outcome.

"I'm so tired." I whisper, my voice barely cutting above the wind and crashing waves. "I'd do anything to stay on this ship a little longer." Tears stream down my face, and I'm too distraught to care that the Captain is watching me. I look up at him, and a peculiar expression crosses his face.

"Come with me." He beckons, heading for the ladder back down to the main deck, and again I obey, silently wiping my tears on my pajama sleeve.

Once we're below again, he leads me across the deck, to the entrance that dips into the engine room. I remember the curiosity I felt the very first day we arrived, and it grips me again, my heart pounding with excitement. He enters the dark stairwell ahead of me, and I hesitate. It's not that I'm afraid of the dark, but no one would want to enter some unknown chamber on a ship without at least a flashlight. Before I can mention it, Captain Taira pulls an old looking lighter from his pocket and flicks it, light from the flame dancing along the walls. A simple stairway twists down into more darkness, and he motions for me to continue, so I do.

We descend several flights of stairs, each leading to a landing with more steps. I can't tell exactly how far we've gone, but I know it's deep in the belly of the ship because I can't hear the ocean anymore. We finally reach the engine room, and it's magnificent. Giant machinery with large rotating cogs and whirring pieces fill the space with noise. The Captain doesn't bother to speak, he just continues forward and I stumble to catch up with him.

We weave through a few corridors and the noise from the machines lessens a little. I can hear my footsteps and a leaky pipe dripping somewhere nearby. I don't recognize this part of the ship from the map my Dad showed me. I'm about to ask when he stops, and I almost bump into him. He stands motionless and I come up beside him to see what the hold up is. About ten yards ahead of us, there's a small metal door with slotted vents lining the outside. As the Captain stares at it, his eyes coud over with some emotion I don't recognize, and he looks back at me.

"Did you mean what you said, about doing anything to stay on this ship?" His expression is very solemn as he waits for me to answer. I fidget for a moment, unsure that if I tell him, he won't go and tell my parents. I decide it's worth the risk.

"Yes. I did. I hate travelling all the time. I hate that my parents don't understand how I feel or care about how hard it is. All they care about is their stupid jobs and they keep me locked up all the time, they don't let me do anything. Being on this ship with you is the most fun I've had... ever." I look at my feet, a little embarrassed at my confession. The Captain must think I'm pathetic.

But as I meet his gaze again, he looks lost in thought, and nods like he understands. A spring of hope forms a lump in my throat, and I wait for his next move. His dark eyes contemplate mine, considering, calculating. Finally, he sighs- almost in relief- and turns to his left. He grabs an aged torch from a sconce on the wall and lights it.

"Look there." He points, and as he does, an unearthly green glow begins to emanate from behind the door. I gasp and rub my eyes, wondering if I'm still just half asleep. The glow continues and grows brighter, seeping out from the edges of the doorway. I'm lost for words, shaking my head in disbelief.

"W-what is that?" I stutter. Captain Taira gives me a hard gaze.

"What I am about to tell you is sacred knowledge. You must never share this secret with anyone, understood?" I nod solemnly, and he takes a deep breath.

"I told you before that this ship is haunted, but there is more to the story. When the ship was first built many years ago, my neice would travel with me. She was the only family I had, and she was beloved by all my crew members. We adored her, and she became the heart of this place. But soon after, tragedy took her from me. This used to be an old oven, back when the ship used coal. We were filling the chamber to refuel, no one had noticed her slip inside. When we finished, we locked the oven door and all went back to the control room, assuming she had gone back up while we were working. When the oven was turned on again, she was inside. We couldn't hear her cries for help, being so far above in the control room. Her body perished that day, but her spirit remained. After her death, my men began experiencing strange things on the ship. Eventually, we discovered the green light coming from this room, and began to hear her voice calling out to us."

At this, a disembodied wail travels from the room and into the darkness, my hair stands on end. I feel my body urging me to retreat but I hold my ground. I'm too curious.

"What... what does she want?" I force myself to ask.

"She wants to be free. Like you."

I think about the Captain's neice as a little girl, maybe about my age. How sad and lonely she must feel, trapped down here away from everyone. The Captain sees my expression and smiles gently.

"You can help her." He puts a hand on my shoulder, and I look up at him confused.

"How?" I ask.

He points at the door. The girl cries out again with a sad whimpering sound. "Go speak to her, she will tell you."

My eyes widen as I think about encountering a real ghost, but then I look at the pain in Captain Taira's eyes. I think about the lost and lonely girl stuck in the darkness by herself, and I feel a spark of courage. If it will help the Captain, I want to give it a try.

I take a tentative step forward, pacing slowly toward the doorway. I don't want to startle her as much as I don't want to be startled myself. I stand in the frame, the small amount of light from the torch doing little to illuminate the chamber.

My voice quivers a little as I say, "Hello?" and hear another whimper from inside the oven. I take another step forward and feel the heavy door slam shut behind me, the metal latch sliding into place. I'm cut off from the torch light, surrounded by deep blackness.

"Captain?" I yell out, my voice shaking. There is no answer.

"Captain!" I start panicking, pounding the door with my fists, which accomplishes nothing other than my hands hurting. I'm about to call out again when I hear her.

"Hello, Scott." Her voice is warped sounding, like she swallowed something metallic. I turn slowly, green light filling the room, only now it's a more sickly shade. I turn to face her, and gasp in shock. She doesn't look like a girl. She doesn't look like anything human.

A skeletal creature stares back at me. It's eyes are so sunken that the sockets almost look empty, putrid flesh hangs from it's bones, like it had begun melting and then stopped halfway. It's teeth greet me in what I think is a grin, but there's no telling the shape of rotting flesh. The glow filling the oven is coming directly from the creature, illuminating the charred tendons and veins still clinging to it's skin. It takes a step towards me and a piece of flesh falls to the floor. I back against the oven door, unable to speak.

"Don't be afraid." She tells me in her gravelly voice. "I know what I look like, but I'm so happy you're here. It's unbearable... being stuck down here all these years." She hangs her head in sorrow, and I see a few black hairs poking through her skull. My heart is still pounding, but I finally speak.

"H-how do you know my name?" I stammer. She replies.

"My uncle told me about you. He visits me sometimes and tells me about the people that board this ship. He knows how much I miss being alive. The stories help my lonliness."

I guess that makes sense, so I add, "The... Captain said I could help you. What does he mean?"

I watch her carefully as she paces up to a wall and lays her peeling palm against it. "He told you about how I died?" She asks. I nod, and she sighs.

"I went into the oven that day to explore. It was the one place on the entire ship I had never seen. My uncle always warned me never to play around here, but I couldn't help myself." She wails again and I jump a little.

"I didn't hear the men leave. I was trapped down here when the engines started. No one heard me, no one helped." She cries loudly again, and even though I'm frightened, I feel sympathy for her.

"I-I'm sure they didn't mean to leave you here. It was an accident, your uncle misses you very much." Her head turns, its nearly eyeless sockets boring into me, and I gulp.

"Do you know why I can't leave this place?" She whispers, and I shake my head.

"Because I don't have a body." She smiles sadly- I think- and takes another step towards me. I try to squeeze into the corner by the door, but I can't get any farther away. She continues until she's standing an arms length from me, then stops. I relax a little.

"There is a myth in our country, that if you willingly give your body to a spirit, they can grant you any wish. I'll make you a deal- if you give me your body for just one day, I will grant you any one wish that you desire. When the day comes to an end, I will return here and return your body to you, and you will get your wish."

I think hard about what she's saying. Give my body to a ghost? Is that even possible? Then again, I didn't think it was possible for me to be standing here talking to a ghost, so who knows.

"What will happen to me, while you're using my body?" I eye her with suspicion. It can't be that easy. She gives her gnarled grin again, and I shiver.

"You'll share your body with me, we'll go together. Imagine all the fun we could have, all the adventures!"

I consider this seriously. Walking around with a ghost inside me? I don't know how I feel about that, but... it would be kind of cool. It wouldn't matter where we went or what we did, I'd always have someone to talk to, even when my sister annoyed me or my parents were too busy for me.

Suddenly, an idea hits me. "Hey, why share my body for just one day? We can travel all the time together, like you said, but forever!"

The glow emanating from her intensifies and a scratchy gasp escapes her. "You would do that? I can stay inside your body forever?"

"Well, for now yeah. Until we can find you another body anyways. I don't know how, but we'll figure it out. Beats staying down here."

She bows her head and nods, holding back more wailing. I can tell she's overjoyed with the idea. I find myself getting excited too. Neither of us have to be alone anymore.

She straightens back up, taking one more step toward me and extending her hand, "It's a deal."

I hesitate, thinking breifly about the possible downside to living with a ghost. But then, she looks so desperate. As another chunk of flesh falls to the floor, I take pity on her and make up my mind. She can't stay down here like this forever. It's not fair.

I take her hand. Suddenly, I'm looking at myself. My body is standing in front of me, blonde hair tousled from sleep, it's mouth twisting in a wicked smile. It withdraws it's hand. I look down to see that the new hand I'm attached to is nothing but bone, peeking through rotted skin. I stumble back in shock, tripping over my new legs and falling to the floor, my frail skeletal arm breaking as more flesh splatters on the ground.

"What have you done?" I whisper. My voice is rough and my throat aches, like I've swallowed a cup of nails.

My real body looms over me, a smirk creasing it's eyes. "Taira was right, you were exactly what I needed." My own voice mocks me.

"The Captain? But... he said he needed my help!" I splutter in confusion, my tongue feeling heavy and useless.

"He did need your help. To free me. I just didn't think it would be this easy. I only needed your body for when we made port at Kyoto, so I could use it to find a permanent vessel. But now that you've granted it to me permanently, that solves our problem." My face smirks at me, and a pit of dread grows in my stomach as I start to realize what's happened.

Taira's niece didn't just hijack my body. She traded it. I'm trapped in her rotting remains.

"You lied to me!" I try to grasp at my old body, but it jumps away.

"I didn't lie. I said that I would borrow your body for a day. It's you who gave it to me permanently." She grins at me, and I want to strangle her.

"Why did you do this? What do you need my body for?" I try desperately to pull my decaying corpse towards her but my leg joint buckles. It's no use.

"Why? Well... I suppose I owe you that much." She uses my body to knock on the chamber door, and it swings open. Captain Taira stares down at me with a look of indifference, and I start to put the pieces together. This whole time he's been using me. Luring me into trusting him, so he could get me here.

"When my uncle explained about the history of this ship, he left something out." She crosses her arms, a devilish smirk on her... my lips. I suck in a breath, and my throat gurgles.

"It's you. You're the ghost." I say, quivering in panic, which only causes more globs of flesh to slide off my bones.

"Very good." She smiles, and the Captain smiles with her.

"You see, my uncle was killed on this ship decades ago by my father. He beheaded Taira, and buried his skull somewhere in Kyoto so that his soul could never rest. All because my mother loved my uncle, and not him." Her expression changes to anger, and the voice coming from my body doesn't sound like mine anymore. It's becomes that of a grown woman.

"Taira's crewmen tried to fight against my father, but his own men slayed all of them. When I raised them from the dead to seek vengeance, they killed most of my fathers' loyalists. My father realized the connection, and they tried to burn me alive in here in hopes that my soul would be destroyed- and my undead servants with it. When they couldn't contain my spirit, they had the ship decomissioned and it sat in a ship yard, until your parents begged my father to put it back in service. He only agreed because your parents paid him so much money, and he figured after all these years, my soul must have finally faded away. He had no idea I had resurrected my uncle's spirit, and we got our revenge during the voyage from Japan." She twists her- my- face into a grin, and then nods to the far corner of the chamber.

I turn my rotting head and see a lump leaning against the wall in the darkness. My eyes adjust, and I start to whimper when I realize it's the body of a man, who looks vaguely similar to Captain Taira.

"Who are you, really? What do you want!" I scream at them, my gravelly voice cracking under the strain. They stare down at me, and the womans voice comes out from my body again.

"I am the Sorceress Takiyasha, and I want to return my uncle's head to him. Which is why we will be joining your family as they disembark tomorrow."

A new wave of terror washes over me as I realize what that means. This wretched woman is going to use my body, pose as me, and get to Kyoto through my family. Even more terrifying is what Takiyasha might do with them after she's done.

"Th-they'll never fall for it, they'll know you aren't me!" I try to scare her, to put holes in her plan.

She smirks in response, "Oh, but we know so much about you. You were so kind as to confess all your worries to the Captain. Your friends, you past, even your distaste for your family. Strange that you're so concerned about them now."

I shake uncontrollably and start to cry.

She's right, I've told them everything. Charlotte and my parents will never realize that it's not me. I've doomed all of us.

"You monster! You tricked me, you lied!" I scream and start beating my fists on the ground, which breaks four of my fingers. "You said only for one day, you said you'd grant me a wish!"

"Yes, well, that's why it's called a myth. But I suppose I did promise you a reward if you gave up your body, so here it is." She leans closer to me and I stop crying, a tiny spark of hope in my eyes.

"I grant you the opportunity to escape this place." She whispers. I grab her ankle- my ankle- and plead desperately. "How? How do I get out of here!"

She turns to leave, and Captain Taira follows.

"Tell me!" I scream at them, and I watch my old body turn back to me.

"You can get yourself out of this the same way you got in. By trading places with someone else. Who knows when that will happen though. I've been down here for ages." I watch my face give one last evil smile, her laugh taunting me as the door closes behind them and the latch clicks.

"NO!" I scream into the darkness, scream until my putrid lungs bleed, but there's no point.

In the deep belly of the ship, beneath layers of iron and grinding machinery... no one will ever hear me.

Authors Note:

The premise of this story is based around the Japanese folktale of the Gashadokuro; a spirit that takes the form of a giant skeleton made of the skulls of people who died in the battlefield, and some sources describe them as burning yellow or green. Gashadokuro wanders around at night and attacks and eats humans. The Gashadokuro are said to possess the powers of invisibility and indestructibility since it is composed of the bones of people who are already deceased, though Shinto charms are said to ward them off. One of the first known myths of the Gashadokuro dates back to the tenth century.

During that century in Japan, Taira no Masakado, a prominent samurai from the Kantō region, was ambushed one day by three of his cousins due to quarrelling over marriages. Enraged by this, Masakado retaliated by burning down their residence, killing one of his uncles, Kunika. Yoshimasa, one of Masakado's relatives, wanted to avenge Kunika and challenged Masakado to a duel. Upon losing the duel, Yoshimasa called upon Yoshikane, another one of Masakado's relatives. Yoshikane, was easily able to gather many warriors and other officials from his province. They fought a great battle, but Masakado ultimately won. However, the government in Kyoto acknowledged his attacks as a revolt and put a bounty on his head. Taira's cousin and a man named Fujiwara killed him in 940, decapitating him, and brought his head to the capital in Kyoto for a reward.

Masakado's daughter, known as Takiyasha Hime, was a famous and powerful sorceress. She was infuriated at her father's death. She conjured up the first Gashadokuro with the bones of those who died in battle along with Masakado. To take revenge, Takiyasha unleashed the Gashadokuro on Kyoto. It ravaged the city until Masakado's head was moved to Shibasaki, a fishing village that eventually became Tokyo. The head became a sort of demigod there, with a grave still standing today near the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

~E. S. Winter