Dust motes danced in the warm light.

A faint breeze carried the scent of old trees, damp earth, and distant incense from somewhere beyond the shrine grounds.

Outside, the chirping of unseen birds seemed to mark the passing of time, rhythmically and without hurry.

Inside the Hakurei Shrine, however, it was silent.

Almost oppressively so.

A quiet that felt less like peace and more like waiting.