by Dani Hoots
As for the kami, nothing has changed for them. We always do the same things with them—meeting in October and going over the different prayers. The only thing that has changed was that there appeared to be fewer people praying to the shrines, and kami are being forgotten. Even last week, we had lost one kami—her spirit becoming an eternal cherry tree. It was said that a white snake lives on that tree, never wanting to leave his master. I felt bad for the snake, as he had no one else to believe in.
“I don’t understand what you mean by immortal, Aki-chan. Don’t kami die when people stop believing in them?”
“They don’t die so much as they turn into another form. Their spirit will always live on in the world even if we don’t get to physically interact with them. Just like with Yamiyo. When I look up at the starry night, I still feel his spirit watching me.”
I looked up at the inky sky. All I could see was black and some shining stars where the clouds had parted. The moon was full, and I could see the rabbits making mochi on the moon. Even with all of that, however, I didn’t see Yamiyo anywhere.
“Have you been drinking too much sake again, Aki-chan? I don’t see ojisan anywhere.”
He laughed. “I am glad you are around to bring me a splendid laugh. You will understand what I mean one day. As for now, let us stop here and enjoy this matsuri? Then tomorrow we can head south.”
I let out a sigh. “Fine. I guess we can see what this is all about. But I expect you to buy me a lot of food.”
“Of course.”
He grabbed my hand, and we headed toward the crowded area. I didn’t feel comfortable around this many humans, but since they were distracted with all the things going on, they wouldn’t notice me at all. Then there was the fact that I didn’t accidentally turn into my kitsune or fox form anymore.
I noticed that there were quite a few people wearing masks of all different sorts. Some were white and almost comical while others were red and rather scary-looking. As I wandered around, I noticed that some people wearing masks were in fact not human. I stayed closer to Akikumo, afraid what they might be.
“Aki-chan...”
“Don’t worry about them. They are just like you and me and traveling around. Would you also like a mask?”
I debated on it, but many humans that appeared the same age as I did were wearing masks. “Sure.”
Akikumo led us to a small booth that had multiple types of masks for sale. I looked around and found one that was a fox face. I pointed at it. “That one!”
“Of course.” He asked the human for that mask and one mask for himself. I laughed as he put it on.
“What do you think? Do I look frightening?”
“No, you look funny, Aki-chan.”
“What if I were a real ogre? Then would you be scared?”
“But you are a wolf, not an ogre.”
He patted my shoulder. “Never change, Ketsue-chan. You are too funny.”
I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean, but before I had a chance to ask, I smelled food.
“Can we get some food now?”
“Yes we can.”
We got in line for takoyaki and ordered as much as I could hold. I chomped on them as we went to the next booth that served fried rice. I kept eating and going to the next booth for a while, Akikumo watching in amazement as I chowed down.
“For someone who doesn’t like humans, you sure like their food.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “I believe humans are only good for their cooking. It was the kami, after all, who taught them how.”
“That is fair.” Akikumo turned as the sound of drums vibrated through the festival. “Come, let us go watch the performance. I promise it will be spectacular.”
I followed Akikumo as I munched on my last onigiri. A bunch of people were all huddled together near a group of men who stood at some large drums. Only one played, repeating parts of a song. His determination dripped off him just like the sweat that fell down his skin. After he finished, another man stepped up and played something similar but not quite the same. I pulled on his sleeve.
“What’s going on? Why are they playing by themselves and changing the song?”
“This song is like a battle. Everyone here knows all the parts, and the challenge is to mix it up different from the people before them. It goes on until they decide to stop or people give up.”
“Oh,” I commented as I turned back to watch. These men were giving it their all, wanting to not only outdo each other but to play around and have fun. Their laughter and determination was fun, and it was hard not to join in and clap each round.
Maybe Akikumo was right—humans knew how to enjoy the moment.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Present day—Hida Mountains
I COULDN’T BREATHE.
Whatever had grabbed us was pulling us through the water fast. I had no idea which way was up or which way was down. All I knew was I needed to find air, and I needed to save Yamato.
The water was cold—almost like ice as it was filled with the melted snow coming down from the mountains. Once we get out of here—if we got out of here—we would have to find somewhere to warm up, which wouldn’t be easy. It was cold out on the mountain, and we’d left a lot of our supplies at the campsite. At that point, I had no idea where we were and I doubted Yamato knew either. I could warm up in my fox form, but Yamato didn’t have that luxury. At least I could make a fire with my kitsunebi.
But first I needed to get out of the river.
I tried to look all around, but all I could see was darkness. Whatever had me, had its fingers around my ankle. I could feel its claws piercing my skin and my blood becoming one with the river. Where was it taking me? Or was it trying to drown me and then devour me? Yokai like this made no sense.
I didn’t have much longer before I would suffocate or drown. It took all my strength not to inhale the water and keep my hand around the katana. If I was struggling, there was no way that Yamato could last any longer. I had to do something.
Focusing all my might, I tried to form a kitsunebi. It seemed impossible as water extinguished fire. But Akikumo had taught me that my kitsunebi could survive in any environment, no matter what it was. He tried to teach me to use it in the water, but I had never succeeded. Then once I had arrived at the shrine, I didn’t want others to see my struggle, and I hadn’t tried again.
But if I didn’t do it, then Yamato and I would die.
I closed my eyes and focused on my ki. I could do this if I just focused. Kitsunebi was just my ki, and ki could be controlled underwater.
Doubt filled my mind as I didn’t feel my hand light up with the flame. I shook my head. No, I wouldn’t let it. I had lost so much already. I couldn’t lose another friend.
I held out my hand again and focused all my ki. Then I felt the spark of a flame. It was possible. I could do this. I opened my eyes and willed a bigger flame. With the light of the flame, I could now see all around. Yamato was just ahead of me, so it would be easy to hit both of the grotesque, half-fish, half-human creatures that had grabbed us.
Willing it larger and larger, I let the flame go straight at both yokai. An ear-piercing scream echoed through the water as the creatures left us and swam deeper into the river. I swam to Yamato and took us up to the surface.
I gasped for air, but Yamato didn’t seem to be moving. I quickly swam over to the shore and laid him down. His chest wasn’t moving.
“Kuso...”
Putting my ear to his chest, I listened for a heartbeat. It was faint, but I could still hear it. Since healing was part of being a kitsune at the Inari shrine, I had learned from Ichika how to give CPR.
I pressed on his chest a few times to get the water out of his lungs, then moved to his mouth. I hesitated, feeling a bit weird putting my lips against his but didn’t give it a second thought. I blew a few times into his mouth and then pressed against his chest again. Suddenly he reacted and water came shooting out of his mouth. He coughed and turned, gaspin
g for air. He was still alive. I collapsed down, tears forming in my eyes. I had been so scared that I couldn’t quite process it all. What would Inari have thought if I had let him die? What about the priest? That is, if I could even leave this mountain.
Yamato bent over, still coughing. “What happened?”
I leaned up and looked at him, shrugging. “Some river yokai grabbed us and tried to drown us. Luckily I was able to use my kitsunebi to scare them off. Then I pulled you back here and gave you CPR.” I wrapped my arms around him. “I am so glad you are all right. I was so worried!”
He seemed to hesitate and then wrapped his arms around me. “I’m sorry to have made you worry.”
I shook my head. “No, it was all my fault. I shouldn’t have run after that yosuzume. This is all our fault, and we almost died because of it.”
He shook his head. “No, I have a feeling that oomukade would have found us eventually. She seemed to have been looking for you.”
I backed away and looked at him straight in the face. “Still... it attacked us because of me...”
He shrugged. “It’s not really your fault. They seem more to have a grudge with Akikumo than you. Once we find him, we will get answers.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I suppose you are right.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. I felt them instantly turn red as my eyes widened. “What was that for?”
“For saving me. Thank you.”
I looked away. It was probably just a gesture humans did when thanking someone, and I didn’t want him to see my face turn red. “No problem. I didn’t want to explain to Inari-sama how I lost you. That’s all.”
“I see.”
We were quiet for a moment, when Yamato brought the conversation back around. “You said you used your kitsunebi underwater? How is that possible? Kitsunebi is supposed to not work underwater, at least that’s what the stories say.”
I cursed under my breath. “I knew it! He lied to me, that stupid wolf.”
Yamato laughed. “I guess if your mentor told you it was possible, then you can do anything, can’t you Ketsue-chan?”
I laughed as well. “Yeah, I suppose you are right. I guess that is why I know I will never give up on him. He has to be alive somewhere.”
Yamato grabbed my hand. “I agree. And we will find him, I guarantee you that.”
I got up and started searching for some firewood. Yamato joined me, but I could tell he was shivering uncontrollably as the wind was cool and felt icy against my wet clothes.
“You can sit while I find some firewood. You have been through a lot and need to warm up.”
He nodded and sat back down on the ground. I was able to find some firewood in no time and made an enormous fire so we could warm up faster. As Yamato huddled near the fire, peeling off all his clothes except his underwear to dry, I took off my own and transformed into my fox form. I shook off all the rest of the water and transformed back. Soon our clothes and hair were almost dry, and I sat down and used my power to make the fire more tolerable, as it was burning my skin. I wanted to dry our clothes off more but knew I couldn’t keep the fire sustained like that for long before it went out of control. Akikumo would not be happy if I burned down the entire mountain.
As we sat there, I glanced over to find Yamato smiling, even after everything we had experienced.
“What is it?” I asked as we snacked on some of the food that had been protected in plastic that Yamato found in his pocket.
“It’s just surprising how strong you are. I mean, I know kitsune are strong, but they should be at a disadvantage underwater. You just amaze me, is all.”
I blushed and looked back at the fire. “Well, don’t tell everything to your father or Ichika-sama. I don’t want them to know how much danger I put you in.”
He laughed. “I promise. But I would think you would want them to know about your amazing feats.”
I shrugged. “I don’t particularly want to go back to the shrine. I want to find Aki-chan and go on adventuring with him. We used to explore all of Japan, just him and me. I have seen more of this country than would be possible for a human.”
“And yet you don’t know your way through this mountain.”
“Because this world is always changing! Trees change, humans muck up the land, and everything looks so different, not to mention the yokai that have taken over this mountain.”
I recalled what the oomukade had said about Akikumo being gone and that’s why there were so many yokai. I agreed his power had kept a lot of yokai away from many areas, and he dissipated any miasma that came up in natural areas, so it should have been impossible for the yokai to be on his mountain. Why were they here? Was Akikumo getting weak?
Or was he not on this mountain?
“What’s wrong?” Yamato asked.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing. We should get some sleep. I have no idea where on the mountain we are, and we will need to gain some altitude to take a look around.”
He nodded and lay down in the soft grass. We would have to find our campsite in the morning and gather our things. I grabbed the katana and unsheathed it. As I had expected—the blade was a dark gray on one side and a light gray on the other side. This was Akikumo’s katana. What was it doing in the middle of the forest? Did that mean he was near? It was still in pristine condition, so it couldn’t have been left out for that long. How did it get there?
Shaking my head, I put the katana away. At least now I had one thing of his, as I had lost my magatama. I was so stupid for losing that—I should have been more careful. I took a deep breath and tried not to think about it.
I lay down on the grass and looked up at the stars. It had been so long since I had simply looked up and enjoyed them.
“Aki-chan,” I whispered. “Are you out there?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Summer 1806 (Edo Period)—Hida Mountains
THE MOON WAS DARK, and the stars lit up the sky like tiny candles, sparkling for what seemed like an eternity. They never seemed to stop as every time I looked up ever since I could remember, they were always there.
I lay next to Akikumo, both our tails swishing lightly on the grass as we enjoyed the view of the universe. The air was cool but not too cold where I felt I needed to transfer into my fox form to stay warm. The ground was warm as well from the sun shining on it all day. The softness of it made me smile as I could have lain there for hours. I took in a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, catching a bit of the sandalwood and jasmine scent from Akikumo. I understood why he loved it up here. It was far from any human corruption, and one could enjoy nature at its finest. The wind was soft, unlike some nights when the air felt like it was going to war with us. It would howl through the mountainside. I didn’t like it, but Akikumo always seemed to love the wind. I wondered if it was because it sounded like wolves howling.
Glancing over at Akikumo, I found him gazing at the sky with a sad smile. I wished I knew what he was thinking as every time he looked up in the night sky, he had the same expression on his face. It was a look of longing, as if he wanted to be up there in the sky as well.
“Do you see your brother up there still, Aki-chan?”
He was silent for a moment, as if still taking in the beauty. “Of course. I see all the loved ones I have ever known up there watching me.”
I looked up at the sky. All I could see were stars and darkness. I looked around, wondering if I could pinpoint anyone I knew, but found nothing. I knew he could hear better than me, but could he see better than me as well? “I still don’t see them. Where are they?”
He laughed as he raised his hand to point. “You see those group of stars? If you squint ever so slightly, you can make out a wolf. That is my otouto, Yamiyo.”
I looked where he was pointing and squinted. “Yeah, I kind of see it. But weren’t those stars always there? Before he died?”
Akikumo dropped his hand. “I suppose they were, but I can still tell it’s my brother watching over me. Perhaps
even your parents are up there, watching over you.”
I turned to him. “You think so?”
He nodded. “I know so.”
I looked back up, searching all around for them. It had been so long since I had seen them. Would I recognize them? I looked at each and every star, but I saw no trace of them. There weren’t new stars up there, and I didn’t see their faces. “I feel like you are making this up.”
“I am not. Above us is where the heavens lie, and in that is the netherworld. It is both here and not, just like those who have passed. It’s a place one can only go to after they die and never return except in the thoughts of others. It is our actions in this world that bring those spirits honor so they can rest.”
I tried to put together what Akikumo had said. If they were in the netherworld, then how come what we did in this life mattered to them? Why would they even care about us enough to want us to live for them? Did this life matter to the world of the dead? It made little sense—what did this have to do with the stars?
And I thought the netherworld was where some yokai lived? All of this was rather confusing. But I tried to focus on just one bit of it.
“What are the stars in the sky?” I asked. “How did they get there?”
Akikumo turned to face me, leaning on his arm. “Well, a long, long time ago, when the world was being formed, there was only darkness.”
“Was that when you were alive?”
He laughed. “No, that wasn’t when I was alive. I’m not that old...”
I shrugged.
“Anyway... Light began to form and moved up and up, forming the stars. Then, particles that were moving but not as fast as the stars settled in the middle and made up the heavens. This was called Takamagahara. Below it, in just darkness, was Earth.”