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CHAPTER TWELVE

Koichi breathed a sigh of relief as they finally made it to the camp in the mountains where the monks lay hidden. He wasn’t exactly sure why they preferred living this way, but who was he to question anyone’s life choices, given the mistakes he’d made?

As they neared the camp, Keiko took the form of a young monk. Something that was a bit unnerving. It’d been a long time since Koichi was around benevolent shape-shifters. He’d grown too used to things that tried to eat or kill him over the years.

Ryuichi had remained uncharacteristically silent for the last few hours. He wasn’t sure if the boy was trying to come to terms with everything or if he was simply tired.

Either way, Ryuichi hung back and watched quietly.

“What do you think, young master?” Keiko was surprisingly chipper, given the amount of time it’d taken them to get here.

“They don’t appear to be very productive, do they?” Ryuichi finally said.

Koichi arched a brow at the strange comment. “Neither are you.”

“Because we’re riding.”

The boy completely missed the point. But he wasn’t in the mood to argue. Reining his horse to a stop, Koichi dismounted and waited for Keiko and Ryuichi to join him. They surrendered their horses to the monks at the well-kept stable before Koichi went searching for Master Yamato.

Which was good, as it gave him time to see many of the faces of the students he’d managed to save. Honestly, he’d forgotten how many he’d helped.

“Master Koichi.” Taru bowed before him.

He had to bite back a smile at the first student he’d sent here to hide. “Taru. You look good.”

“Thanks to you.” He glanced around to the monks, who were laboring about the camp. “And the monks who’ve been so kind to allow me to stay here. It’s much better than being chased by demons.”

Koichi couldn’t agree more.

Ryuichi eyed the student, who was five years his senior. “But that’s your job. You’re supposed to be on patrol, not here... hiding.”

“He’s following my orders, Ryuichi. I sent him here.”

Ryuichi seemed confused by that. “Why?”

“For his protection.”

Still, Ryuichi didn’t seem to understand his reasoning. “But he should be protecting Lord Hanzō and the others. As is his duty.”

Had he hit the boy harder in the head than he thought? “Ignore him,” he said to Taru. “Ryuichi isn’t quite himself.”

Taru nodded as Koichi grabbed Ryuichi by the scruff of his kimono and yanked him forward. “Why are you being rude?” he demanded.

“Is telling someone of their shortcomings rude?”

“Yes!” Koichi and Keiko answered simultaneously. At least the inari was on his side.

Confused by this sudden turn, Koichi paused to look at Ryuichi’s mon.

No, the boy wasn’t Black Tortoise, but he was definitely acting like one of those snotty little brats.

Or Hanzō.

Neither of whom he wanted to spend any time around. “Should we kick him in the head and see if it helps rattle some sense loose?”

Keiko gaped. “No! You don’t kick someone in the head for being a little peevish after he’s traveled all day. What’s wrong with you?”

“Why not?” Koichi asked, ignoring her question. “It’s what my instructors did to me.”

She blinked slowly, as if she was trying to think of an appropriate response. “That explains so very much.”

Koichi opened his mouth to defend himself when his gaze fell to the last person he expected to see. “Ryota! You live!”

His former student paused to look in his direction. Anger flared in his eyes. “No thanks to you!”

That offended him. “Some thanks to me.” After all, he was the one who’d sent the kid here before the demons ate him.

Growling, Ryota shoved Koichi. “You left me to die.”

“Hardly. I knew the monks would find you and take you in.”

Ryota sneered as he raked an ungrateful glare over his body. “You’re a horrible teacher.”

“Now that was just uncalled for.” If not rather true.

Before Ryota could say anything else, Ryuichi rushed past Koichi to confront Ryota. “Apologize to your sensei.”

Ryota laughed in his face. “Look... now you have your cockroaches fighting your battles.”

Ryuichi, who was a full head shorter, stood before him, fearless.

Stupid.

“I said apologize.”

Ryota took a swing at him.

Ducking the blow, Ryuichi came up with one of his own, straight to Ryota’s ribs. Koichi heard the sound of bones breaking as the older boy went down with a howl of pain.

Still, Ryuichi gave him no mercy or quarter. “Apologize!”

Cursing under his breath, Koichi grabbed him and tucked him under his arm before anyone became suspicious of Ryuichi’s strength. “No need for that. I’m used to being insulted.”

The boy continued to struggle against him. “Shame on you for allowing such. We must teach him better.”

Koichi passed a confused stare to Keiko. “What is wrong with him now?”

Shrugging, she gestured at his squirming bundle. “I would say you were rubbing off on him, but you’ve never respected rules this much.”

He gave her an irritated grimace as he finally saw Master Yamato rushing toward them.

As soon as the old monk saw him, he groaned. “I should have known you’d be behind such a disruption.”

“Thanks,” Koichi said dryly.

“Thank me by not causing strife.”

Ryuichi stopped struggling. “Sensei, you cause disorder?”

“No.” Not really.

“Yes,” Master Yamato countered. “Everywhere he goes.”

“Then you cannot be my teacher.” Ryuichi sank his teeth into Koichi’s hand.

Yelping, he let go out of instinct.

Ryota laughed.

Thankfully, Keiko caught the boy before he ran off. “Ryuichi, what is wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I refuse to be an instrument of discord or chaos. I will not be your tool.”

Koichi scowled. Something was wrong with the boy... He just didn’t know what.

* * *

Masaru rose to his feet as Ryukage appeared before him like a great, towering mountain, swathed in all black. His right hand was covered by a gauntlet that turned each finger into an exaggerated, articulated claw. It was something the Shadow Dragon did to intimidate those around him, but such tactics had never worked on Masaru.

Mostly because he wasn’t that fond of living. Death would be a welcome release.

“Well, well, little fox, you’ve taken long enough to answer my summons. Where have you been?”

The hairs on the back of Masaru’s neck rose, along with his hackles. Too well he remembered what Ryukage had been like before he had succumbed to the shadows—when his eyes had been dark and his heart untouched by evil.

Now...

Times changed. And sadly, so did people. This creature had not only succumbed to the darkness, but he reveled in it.

So do you.

Normally, that was true. He’d taken a lot of pride in causing harm to others. By projecting pain outward, it’d somehow lessened his own.

But lately he no longer felt that way, and he wasn’t sure why.

“I was doing your bidding, my lord.”

Ryukage laughed bitterly. “Then where is my son?”

Before he could answer, Haruki drew up short and hissed as she entered the room behind him. “I thought I smelled a rat. What is that thing doing here?”

“I summoned him, witch.”

She spat on the ground near Masaru’s feet. “I wouldn’t trust him. He’s betrayed every master he’s ever served, including your beloved .”

Masaru scoffed. “And you haven’t? Never mind that my mistress was your twin sister... who you betrayed.”

Hissing again, she started for him, but Masaru twisted and moved from her path.

“Enough!” Ryukage blasted her against the far wall, where she landed with a loud thump and fell unceremoniously into a heap of black kimono. He turned back toward Masaru. “Speak, fox, and quickly. My patience for you grows thin.”

“Fine. You wanted the boy...” He snapped his fingers, and in front of him appeared a small, bundled, hooded form.

Ryukage gasped. In fact, every creature in the room held their breaths.

“How?” Haruki gasped.

Masaru cut a menacing glare at the pale witch who’d spent far too much time in the presence of a god who hated her. “Where there’s a will, kitsune will find a way.” He gestured toward his bundle. “You told me that you wanted your son—and here he is.”

The boy stepped forward, but Masaru pulled him back. “Not so fast. There’s the matter of my payment.”

Ryukage’s jaw hardened at his audacity. “What do you want?”

Masaru felt his tails flick and flare at the question. It had been so long since they’d made their presence known that he had almost forgotten the sensation.

They reminded him why he was here. Why he was willing to do something so foolish. So very dangerous.

“You know what I want. What you stole from me.”

Ryukage laughed. The evil sound rolled through the room like thunder, and it made Masaru want to drive his dagger through the Shadow Dragon’s heart.

If only he could.

“What does a kitsune need with honor?”

“I’m an inari, and I want my station and reputation returned to me.”

Ryukage paused, and for a moment, Masaru expected a fight. Indeed, he glanced toward Tatsu, his primary guard, waiting for Ryukage to give the order to attack.

He didn’t.

“Show me my son,” Ryukage said quietly.

Masaru removed the hood from Ryuichi’s head and showed the boy he’d gagged and blindfolded.

Ryukage drew up sharply at the sight. “He looks just like his mother.”

He did indeed. Especially when he smiled. The similarity had made it hard for Masaru at times as he recalled the sacred vow he’d broken to Haruka.

Keiko was right. He was despicable. He’d more than earned their hatred and scorn.

But this was a new day, and he wanted more.

Ryukage placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and bowed low to Masaru. “You may have whatever you wish.”

Good.

Bowing low to the one creature wanted dead by most everyone, Masaru inclined his head, then quickly took his leave.

He didn’t know how much time he had before his actions were discovered. But he could already feel himself growing stronger from the bargain he’d just made. The greater my standing, the stronger my powers.

Although Koichi and Keiko might yet kill him over this.

Perhaps they’d thank him. After all, he’d given the Kage what he’d wanted.

What he deserved.

Now all Masaru had to do was survive.

* * *

“Something’s not right.”

Koichi paused at Keiko’s words as she barged into his tent. “Correct. I have a kitsune in my domain, and she didn’t even bother to ask permission to enter.”

She dismissed his words with a scoff and a wave of her hand. “Not that. Have you seen Ryuichi?”

“Short little annoying brat? Can’t miss him. He’s always underfoot.”

“Normally. This isn’t normal.”

“How do you mean?”

Keiko gave him a vicious glare. “I repeat. Have you seen Ryuichi?”

“Not in the last few minutes.”

Crooking her finger, she motioned for him to follow her.

Irritated, Koichi sighed. He was trying to stay low, given that the monks on the mountain weren’t very keen on his presence. While they tolerated him, he still had a bit of a dubious reputation where they were concerned.

No one was sure he could be trusted.

Not to mention Ryuichi’s attack on Ryota upon their arrival, which hadn’t exactly endeared them to anyone. Plus, his former pupils had apparently been sharing less-than-flattering stories about him as they hid themselves away in the camp.

Now the monks who’d been his longtime allies were giving him less-than-pleasant smirks whenever they glanced at him.

Koichi clapped one of his former students on the back as they passed. “Itsuki. So glad you weren’t eaten.”

“No thanks to you. I could have been killed.”

“Yet here you are.”

Itsuki scoffed as he returned to work for the monks.

“Well, if you don’t like it, you can leave.”

“Monks won’t let me. Thanks for committing me here. I’d have rather been at the school. In Night Patrol.”

Just like Ryota.

Koichi rolled his eyes. Ungrateful brat. He should have allowed the demon to eat him.

No good deed goes unpunished.

And his good deeds were forever criticized.

At least the monks weren’t quite so rude to him. They were tolerating him as a necessary evil.

Though that could change, given how many of them were being captured by Oda Nobunaga whenever they left the mountain. For some reason, Nobunaga was having them tortured for information regarding their camp. Though why the great Nobunaga cared about the camp, he wasn’t sure.

Granted, the monks were opposed to his rule, but normally Nobunaga gave them plenty of latitude. This newfound crusade against them was frightening.

And no one knew Ryuichi was here.

So the kidnapping and interrogation of monks made no sense.

Those were his thoughts until Keiko brought him to a small clearing where two boys were sparring. The ferocity stunned him, but not nearly as much as the reality that one of the boys—the one winning the fight—was Ryuichi.

Koichi stumbled. No...

Instead of being the kindhearted boy he knew, this was the same kid who’d attacked him at the merchant’s home. The one with unrestrained bloodlust in his eyes.

And Ryuichi was showing no mercy to the poor boy.

“Ryuichi!”

He ignored him.

Growling, Koichi grabbed a staff from the hands of a nearby monk and headed for his student.

Ryuichi went to hit the boy on the head.

Koichi caught the blow—barely—with the tip of his staff. Ryuichi’s wooden kendo hovered less than an inch from the boy’s face.

With a curl to his lip, Ryuichi glared at him. “How could you?”

Koichi was flabbergasted. “Me? I’m not the one bashing the kid’s brains out. What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m teaching him what he needs to know. His enemies won’t take mercy on him. This world won’t take mercy on him, and I’m not doing him any favors if I take mercy on him!”

Those words rang in Koichi’s ears. What had happened to the kid? He was furious as he reminded Ryuichi of the main principles. “Honor. Respect. Courage. And most of all, mercy.”

“Mercy is for the weak.”

Koichi flipped the wooden sword from Ryuichi’s grasp, and the other boy ran from the clearing as fast as he could manage. “Mercy isn’t weakness, and strength isn’t beating a weaker opponent. It only comes from defeating a stronger or equal challenger. That and that alone is how you obtain honor.”

Ryuichi actually growled at him. “What do you know of honor, ronin?”

Those words stung to the depth of his soul and invoked an anger in him that would rival Masaru’s. For a moment, he almost retaliated with his own strike. It took everything he had not to take his fury out on the kid. But...

Anger is your enemy.

His old teacher’s words were the only thing that saved Ryuichi’s hide.

That, and the fact that Koichi realized something that made his blood run cold. Something about his student that he should have realized before.

Eyes wide, he glanced at Keiko. “We need to get our charge out of here.”

“Agreed.”

That was much easier said than done. The little brat had picked up a few tricks. When Koichi went to grab him, Ryuichi twisted free, then swung at him with a stick he had found on the ground.

“All right, kid. Enough.” He disarmed the boy, then quickly picked him up and threw him over his shoulder.

“Release me!” Ryuichi struggled and kicked.

Frustrated, he glared at Keiko. “A little help?”

“You seem to have him well in hand.”

He ground his teeth.

With a smirk, she touched Ryuichi’s hand. Instantly, the boy stopped moving.

That stunned him. “Did you kill him?”

She rolled her eyes at the question. “He’s asleep. Why would I kill him?”

There were so many reasons he could name, but Koichi knew she wouldn’t see the humor, or even his side. So, he quickly carried the boy to the tent he’d been given.

With a tenderness he didn’t currently feel, Koichi set the boy on his futon and resisted the urge to kick his unconscious body.

“Are you all right?”

Koichi shook his head. “Not really. I don’t like having to pull demons off other kids. Besides, the real question is... who do we kill for this?”

Granted, he was reverting to the first rule he disdained, but in this case, it seemed the best course of action.

“What is wrong with you?” Keiko asked.

He gestured at the unconscious... something . “This isn’t Ryuichi.”

“Of course it is.”

“No. This is something else.” A tic started in his jaw. “Masaru!”

For several seconds, the irritable yōkai refused to answer. Then, just when he was sure it was useless, Masaru appeared.

Koichi tsked at him. “Where have you been?”

“On a personal errand. Why?” Masaru furrowed his brow as he saw the way Koichi had dumped the kid on the futon. “What did you do?”

“Me? Nothing... yet. What have you done, demon?”

Keiko sucked her breath in sharply as she moved to Ryuichi and held up his arm. She looked at the wall where her shadow lurked.

“Where’s his shadow?” Her voice was filled with horror.

“Exactly.” Koichi folded his arms over his chest as he glared accusingly at Masaru.

The yōkai shrugged. “I bought us time.”

Keiko groaned at his answer before she set Ryuichi’s arm down. “No... say you didn’t do it.”

“Okay,” Masaru said simply. “I didn’t do it.”

Cursing, Koichi raked his hands through his hair. “Have you... no, you don’t. You have no idea what happens when you take someone’s shadow. How important it is that we keep that part of ourselves. You’re such an idiot.”

“What’s the big deal? You get rid of the bad part. What’s wrong with that?”

Keiko sat down beside Ryuichi. “It’s not just the bad part of a person, Masaru. You’ve destroyed his balance. The very part that we need to keep us who we are.”

“How so?” It was clear the yōkai was clueless.

Keiko let out a frustrated sigh. “You’ve never paid attention. Why did you never pay attention?”

“I’m always paying attention. My life depends on it.”

She gave him a pointed stare. “You look for the quick answers and to the shadows to protect your back. When will you learn?”

“I guarded that boy. Have you seen what Ryukage’s done to the countryside? They’ve torn up everything, searching for him. No one has been safe. Not to mention the fact that they’d already located the kid. They knew exactly where he was. Do you not understand that something had to be done, or all of you would have been destroyed?”

Koichi rubbed at the ache in his forehead. “So you gave them Ryuichi’s shadow?”

Masaru nodded. “Made sense. The Shadow Dragon wanted his son, so I gave him his son’s shadow.”

Shaking her head, Keiko looked as if she wanted to strangle him. “And what do you think the Ryukage will do when he learns of your deception?”

Masaru scoffed. “Even if he knows the difference, what will it matter?”

Keiko manifested a ball of light to show Masaru how Ryuichi had been behaving. “He’s fractured now. While his shadow may placate Ryukage for a time, he will know that he can’t open the gates without his son’s physical body.”

“All you’ve done is enrage the beast.” Koichi clapped him on the back. “Good job! I always wanted to be sacrificed to an angry god. So glad you could accommodate me.”

“And to think that was what I was trying to avoid.” Masaru took the ball and threw it. It shattered against the wall into a million sparks that quickly fizzled out. “So my solution was a load of manure. What do we do now?”

“Gut him.”

Keiko glared at Koichi. “You really think that would work?”

“No. But it would make me feel better. At least temporarily.” Koichi closed the distance until he stood toe-to-toe with Masaru. “In the future, I suggest you discuss your half-brained notions before you execute them.”

“It wasn’t half brained.”

“It was stupid.” Keiko stood up. “Somehow we have to reunite Ryuichi with his kage.”

“How do we do that?”

She turned her attention to Masaru before she answered his question. “It’s not easy. The two pieces have to be physically together in order to reunite them. Since we can’t get the shadow back, we have to take him to it. So, thanks to you and your ill-conceived plan, we need a gateway to the kage-tenchi.” The shadow realm. “And those don’t grow on every corner.”

Koichi frowned as he considered that. “There’s a festival in a week.”

Masaru snorted. “So? There’s always a festival. How is that helpful?”

“It’s for Tsukuyomi... and the full moon.” The time when the veils between the worlds were thin and weak. When shadows were at their highest point. During a celebration of the moon god, when he’d be paying attention...

And it was the only time, during the Hour of the Ox, that someone could merge the two worlds together. Finally, something was working for them.

At least until Koichi spoke again. “But I should mention that there will be Noh players there.”

Masaru gasped as he finally understood what Koichi was trying to tell him. Whenever there was a festival for Tsukuyomi with Noh players, one of the moon god’s children appeared to participate. To offer support to their father.

Dreading that, Masaru sighed. “I hate to even ask this, but will it be Mizuki or Tsukiya?”

Keiko arched a brow. “Does it matter?”

“Yes,” he and Koichi answered in unison. Though they were twins, Tsukiya was the eldest. A nasty piece of work, he hated everyone and everything, especially his twin sister, Mizuki.

The only thing Tsukiya didn’t despise was a Noh play. In fact, he was so fond of them that he often wore the mask of an oni. And if he wasn’t wearing it, he had it hanging around his neck.

While his sister would participate in performances, it wasn’t the play itself she enjoyed. It was her doll collection, which she used to capture the souls of some of the deadliest creatures ever born. Creatures she unleashed against anyone she chose. For whatever morbid reason she fancied.

They were two gods that no one wanted to meet, never mind cross.

For all that, Tsukiya was preferable, because he could be bribed. Sometimes.

Groaning, Masaru shook his head. “How do we get past the twins to the god?”

Koichi considered that as he remembered the last time he’d faced them... and it hadn’t gone well at all. “We’ll need a distraction.”

And a miracle.