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CHAPTER NINE

Ryuichi knew that Keiko had demanded he stay in his room, but he couldn’t.

Not when Kato was so close. He had to check on him.

Since Masaru had been in his sword at the time, he knew nothing of Keiko’s orders and had been an unknowing yet willing accomplice to his escape.

Now Ryuichi, enchanted sword strapped to his side, stood over his friend with a sick stomach and aching heart as he saw the bruises and damage caused by his stupid ego. “I’m so sorry, Kato.”

Kato opened his eyes. At least as much as he could. “Ryuichi?”

“Yeah. It’s me. I had to come and check on you.”

“Glad you’re here.” His friend managed a smile that made him feel even worse.

Why would he be happy? All Ryuichi had done was get him hurt. He couldn’t fathom Kato wanting him anywhere near him ever again.

Kato reached out and took Ryuichi’s hand. “It’s not your fault. I knew what monsters they were. Besides, warriors aren’t always the ones who win. But we are the ones who always fight, especially for our friends and family.”

Ryuichi covered his hand with his. “You will always be my brother, Kato.”

“And you will be mine.”

“What are you doing here?”

Ryuichi tensed at the stern voice. Turning, he started to relax at the sight of Kasumi-sensei approaching them.

Until he saw the glower on her face.

This wasn’t the friendly sensei who’d given him a name and had made him feel welcomed on his arrival. She was angry and not holding it back.

“I’m sorry, Sensei. I just wanted to check on Kato.”

“He’s not your concern, is he?”

Why was she being so curt and hostile? “No, Sensei.”

“Then perhaps you should leave.”

Even Kato looked puzzled by her uncharacteristic rancor. Ryuichi felt the reluctance in his friend’s touch as Kato released his grip. “Thank you for coming.”

Ryuichi bowed to him, then to their teacher.

But as he walked past her, Kasumi took his arm. “Where are you going?”

He’d planned to go outside and then ask Masaru to return him to his sickroom.

Her grip tightened on his arm.

Suddenly afraid, Ryuichi twisted free and ran for the door.

The moment he was outside, he felt the temperature drop. A dark, ominous cloud rolled across the sky.

But the worst?

That familiar fluttering sound of large wings returned. Louder this time. Closer.

Ryuichi felt the presence of the tengu even before he could smell them. Before he could see them. Their talons scraped against the stones as they clattered closer to his location. His heart pounding, he rushed toward the nearest building, trying to hide.

“Masaru?”

As always, his irritable yōkai ignored him.

Seriously?

“Masaru!” he whispered as loudly as he dared. “I need you!”

Still, Masaru refused his call for help. Useless! How was he supposed to rely on him in battle when the beast only showed up whenever he felt like it, and not when Ryuichi needed him?

For that matter, where were Kasumi and Keiko? Why had everyone seemed to evaporate now, when he needed them most?

“Kage-taro, where are you?” a tengu crooned. “We’ve come now to see this through.”

Panicking, Ryuichi glanced at the stone wall beside him, where the faces of those with dark hearts stared back in horror. For the first time, he almost envied them. At least they weren’t being pursued by these ugly, misshapen monsters.

“Now, now, our little prince, we know you’re here. Come out now and be a dear!”

He did his best to block out their words as he ran through all the ways to fight or defeat a tengu. Sadly, he couldn’t think of a single method. Why had no one taught that in school?

As fast as he could, he crept toward the edge of the building, making sure to stay hidden by the shadows that now made him leery too.

Maybe if he could get to his old dormitory, his presence would be masked by the other students.

Something fluttered behind him.

Ryuichi turned to see what it was.

The moment he did, he was grabbed from behind and snatched off his feet.