Not Your Ordinary Best Friend

Once upon a time, in Mt. Atago, lived two men named Yoko and Kaoru who were inseparable since childhood. Their homes were so far away from everything, and the land was so harsh that they both had a hard time making ends meet.

Every day, they would work side by side in their steep fields, and every night they would come home bent and broken. "This farming life will never make us rich. Tomorrow, we will go to town and search for fortune there. We're sure good jobs await us!" And the two friends did as they said.

They left before dawn and walked through the forest until they reached the closest city. With its refined mansions and peaceful canals, it was indeed a magical place compared to their hometown.

And true to their hopes, they both quickly found decent jobs. Yoko was serious and hardworking. Soon, he had saved a lot of money. But Kaoru gave in to the city's many temptations, and all his pay disappeared into drink and gambling. When it was time to return home, he didn't have any money to bring back to his family.

Yoko put a friendly hand on his shoulder... "Don't worry, Kaoru. I'll lend your family some money. That's what friends do!" ...And the two men took the road back to their hometown.

They walked and they walked, and after long hours of travel, they finally reached the narrow log bridge which stood over their village's tumultuous river.

"Yoko, you seem tired... Just go ahead and leave me your bags; I'll carry your things across!" ...His friend shot him a thankful smile. ...He gave the man his satchels, heavy with his savings, and went on to cross the slippery bridge, closely followed by Kaoru.

But, arriving in the middle, Yoko suddenly felt himself fall straight into the gushing waters! Kaoru watched Yoko drown with a harsh face, clutching the money bag tightly, muttering madly: "Mine, it's all mine now!"

And when he arrived at the village, the man shed fake tears: "Oh, it's a tragedy! Yoko Ogawa fell from the bridge! I have not been able to save him!"

A year passed, and Kaoru, missing the pleasures of the city of Kyoto dearly, decided to return there. He took his bags, bade his family goodbye, and went on his way. He was just crossing the bridge when a rattling sound rose, echoing in the mountain air.

The man paled... ...something was walking behind him ...Gulping, he turned ...A pure white skeleton, with pretty polished bones, stood on the slippery logs.

It raised a clattering hand: "Oh, Kaoru Genji, I am so happy to see you again! I have missed you so much, my friend!"

Kaoru's heart was beating madly, but he thought quickly- "For a ghost, he sure seems friendly; that idiot probably has not realized I killed him!" The murderer threw a tentative smile.

Dead Yoko added with chattering teeth... "You are returning to the city, aren't you? Please, please take me with you! ...I am sure we'll make a lot of gold there! After all, it's not every day people will encounter a talking skeleton! .... ...And he let out a strange laugh, whistling like mountain winds..."

Kaoru's eyes had lit up at the mere mention of a fortune easily made. He hungrily agreed to Yoko's plan. He put the bones in a bag and nearly ran to the city.

During months, the greedy man put on a great show by the sanctuary. He would stir up the crowd before revealing the pile of bones.

"Come one, come all! You've never seen anything like this in your life! I present you... The Marvelous Dancing Skeleton!"

And magically, Yoko would rise like a puppet and dance erratically to the rhythm of its own jiggling bones.

Seeing this strange show, children and adults laughed and laughed- "This puppeteer is so good!" Every day, copper and even sometimes silver coins were raining, and even all the gambling and drinking of Kaoru was not enough to make his new fortune run dry.

Yet, one evening after a successful show, the man sighed- "I miss the quiet of the village. I guess it's time to go home."

Yoko's skull clattered- "I miss it too; let's leave tomorrow." And at the first ray of dawn, they hit the road.

When he entered the village, Kaoru was welcomed like a hero. All came admiring his fine clothes and refined hairstyle. The man strutted around like a peacock, saying with his booming carnie talker voice...

"Yes, I've finally become rich! And would you like to know how? I present you... the most peculiar puppet show! The most amazing music number you'll ever see in your life!... Come admire... the Spectacular Dancing Skeleton!"

And with great emphasis, he unveiled Yoko's bones... As usual, the skeleton magically rose, bones clicking marvelously into place... Its skull rose, jawbone chattering, and like a puppet, it started to dance, swinging to its own music.

The whole village was there in a circle, gaping and letting out amazed "Wow!" Kaoru stood high, very pleased with himself, when the skeleton at last stopped.

The crowd started to applaud, but it held up a bony hand, silencing them... Then, surprising everybody, it spoke in an otherworldly chilling voice...

"Remember me! For I am Yoko Ogawa, thrown off the bridge by a fake friend!"

Everyone turned wide eyes to Kaoru. The man swiftly tried to wind up a lie- "It's just bones tied up with strings! Come on, if it's a joke, it's not funny!"

But dead Yoko had not finished... "Oh so funny indeed, dear, dear Kaoru, the one I loved like a brother murdered me over money!" A distressed cry shattered the crowd as Yoko's widow sprang unto her husband's murderer! Her furious hands had just touched the man that the skeleton crumbled down, appeased.

And, as the whole Ville shouted about turning the greedy man to the local official, the skull sighed pleasantly... "There is no place like home!"

The End