“It was my fault,” Kisaki explained.
“I should say so,” Shitoro snorted from the doorway.
“So what about you?” the boy asked Kisaki. “Are you ... like her?”
She looked down at her lap and considered this. “The funny thing is, this is new for me, too, but to answer your question, I am ... different. My mother is one of the daimao.”
“Daimao? Is that like a shogun or something?”
“It’s a greater demon of sorts,” Tamiko replied. “Or maybe a lesser god. Depends on which myths you read. They’re pretty high up the ladder, though. Like comparing a lizard to Gojira.”
The boy nodded as if he understood, then turned back to Kisaki. “So you’re ... a goddess?”
“Lady Kisaki is a hanyou,” Shitoro said with a pained sigh, stepping into the room. He stopped as the boy turned toward him. “Oh, calm down already, child. Had I wished you harm, we would not be having this discussion. She is a half demon.”
Kisaki nodded. “I recently learned my father is a human. I’m here looking for him.”
“In Cartersville?” the boy asked. “I think you’re going to be disappointed. Not much happens here. At the very least, I’m pretty sure none of the townsfolk are married to a goddess.”
Kisaki’s face fell at the news, but Shitoro said, “He may not even be aware.”
“What?” she asked. “How?”
“He ... your father, that is ... may ... no, he is almost certainly not aware of his siring.”
“Why?” Kisaki asked.
“It’s difficult to explain.”
The boy stood and stretched, seemingly more at ease following Shitoro’s declaration of no ill intent. “If that’s the case, then he’s going to be a lot harder to find. But I’ll tell you what. This is ... I won’t lie. This is really freaking weird. But it’s kinda cool, too. Also, you helped me out earlier. I was sure that goon was going to feed me my teeth...”
“Why?” Kisaki interrupted. “What transgression occurred between you?”
“Life,” he replied. “Robbie’s had it out for me ever since we were kids. He’s the closest thing this town has to an official jackass. Anyway, I’ve been mostly avoiding him since we started high school. He’s not exactly in any honors classes, if you get my drift.”
Tamiko laughed at this, although Kisaki didn’t quite understand why.
“But last week, I was working at my new job, stocking shelves down at the Grub Stop. He and a few of his troglodyte buddies came in and started wandering the aisles. Next thing I knew, I saw him stuff a box of doughnuts in his jacket.”
“Doughnuts?”
“You need to try them, trust me,” Tamiko said before opening her eyes wide. “Hey, I just realized you’ve been speaking English, too.”
“I am?” Kisaki asked.
“Yeah, remember? Three days ago, you told me you couldn’t. What? Were you just being shy or something?”
Kisaki turned away, unsure of what to say. “I spoke the truth. I didn’t speak it. I ... only learned it a short while ago, listening to those boys argue.”
“You’re telling me that up until about an hour ago, you didn’t speak English, but now, suddenly, you speak it better than me?”
“Yeah,” the boy said. “I mean, I can’t even hear an accent.”
Shitoro cleared his throat, catching their attention. “Perhaps if you had paid better attention in your studies, such knowledge would be evident.”
“How so?” Kisaki asked.
The tiger demon strolled further into the room, then hopped upon one of the many cushioned seats.
“Hey!” the boy said. “My mom is...”
“Allergic to cats,” Shitoro replied. “Yes, I heard you. Fortunately for her, I am a tiger demon.”
“Tigers are cats,” Tamiko said triumphantly.
“Do you ever grow weary of being tiresome?”
“Not really.”
“Eh hem,” Kisaki interrupted. “You were saying?”
Shitoro crossed his arms and leaned back. “I was saying that this ability of yours is commonplace. The celestial tongue is far more complex than anything spoken by humans. Those who master it can often easily pick up other languages. They are child’s play in comparison to the speech of the gods.”
“In minutes?”
“No,” he replied. “If you will allow me to finish. Your mother, like all daimao, possesses a mind more advanced than any human could even hope to understand.” He paused to look condescendingly at the two others in the room. “It is my belief that you inherited this from her ... a very small portion anyway, if your progress in your studies is to be believed.”
Kisaki let the insult go for now. She’d always envied her mother – her power, her beauty, her regal bearing, everything. A part of her had always wondered if she was a disappointment, seemingly in possession of none of those traits. However, if what Shitoro said was true, then it had just been hidden until now. If she’d gotten that from her mother, then perhaps she’d also gotten... “Would it work the same way with combat skills?”
Shitoro’s expression suddenly went from smug to unsure. “Err...”
“I was meaning to ask you about that,” Tamiko said. “You kicked their butts pretty hard. You must have been studying martial arts for years.”
Kisaki shook her head. “Before today, I have never had cause to raise my hand to another. When you met me, that boy Hojo, the one who pushed me into the water, was the first time any had ever accosted me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. That is why I am asking. Shitoro?”
“I ... do not know,” he admitted. “I was actually just about to step in with my magic when you began doing whatever it is you did. It was most ... unexpected.”
Kisaki started to mention the vision she’d had, too, but then stopped herself. If her sudden skills made Shitoro nervous, what would that do?
“No matter the cause,” he continued, “you must keep that to yourself. Do not even tell your mother about it.”
“Why?”
“Because she would punish me, that’s why! You were never supposed to be taught to fight. It was her wish.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I know that, but she won’t believe me. I’ll be lucky to be demoted to the cleaning staff.”
“Why didn’t she want me to learn to fight?”
“A lady of your station needs it not. Also...”
“Also what?”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Those who learn how to fight often wish to test it out. Considering your heritage, it seemed a risk not worth taking.”
“My heritage? What does that have to...” She stopped when she noticed the boy watching her intently. Feeling a strange heat rise to her cheeks, she quickly forgot everything they were discussing. “My apologies. I did not mean to interrupt your tale.”
“That’s okay,” he said. “What you guys are talking about is far more fascinating than my day. I was just going to say, I told my boss about Robbie and he ended up calling the cops. End of story. That’s pretty much the point where you guys stepped in, right when he was about to beat the snot out of me for ratting on him.”
“He should thank you for forcing him to own up to his actions.”
“I have a feeling he doesn’t quite feel the same way on that subject. Personal responsibility isn’t one of his better virtues.”
“Perhaps he has learned some from today.”
“I doubt it. Learning isn’t his forte either.”
Tamiko laughed at that, and soon Kisaki and the boy joined her. Only Shitoro remained silent, continuing to look put out.
After a few minutes of this, the boy looked up at them all. “Oh wow. I’m a terrible host. I got so caught up in...” He gestured toward Shitoro. “And all the rest of it, that I forgot I promised you all some lemonade.”
“I’d love some,” Tamiko said. Kisaki looke
d at her questioningly, to which she added, “Kisaki would love some, too. Trust me on this.”
“I am quite fine as I am,” Shitoro muttered.
“A warm bowl of ... milk maybe?” the boy offered, to which the youkai narrowed his eyes. “Okay, nothing for you. Gotcha.”
“Thank you,” Kisaki said before adding, “I am sorry, but I do not know whom I am thanking for this hospitality.”
The boy paused for a moment, then slapped his forehead. “Oh wow, I am such a moron. I’m sorry. I swear, that idiot must’ve beaten my manners out of me. It’s just been a bit of a long day.”
Kisaki smiled. “It is quite all right.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He stepped forward and held his hand out to her. “Stephen Fuller at your service.”
Kisaki was about to take his hand when suddenly Shitoro stood up from where he’d been sitting.
“What?!”
22
“Ow! Stop that!”
“Shitoro, is this really necessary?”
The tiger demon continued to chase Stephen around the room, firing bolts of magical energy at his backside.
“That really stings!”
“I’m going to do more than sting you, foul deceiver!” Shitoro shouted, shooting out small flecks of yellow power from his extended claws.
“Did he say something wrong?” Tamiko asked, wide-eyed.
“I do not know,” Kisaki replied, equally as confused.
“Call off your cat!” Stephen cried out as more of the tiny bolts hit him, leaving small crackling noises in its wake.
Shitoro leapt through the air and landed upon his back. “I ... am ... not ... a ... cat!”
“Is he playing?” Tamiko asked.
“I don’t think so.” Kisaki strode over to where Stephen was trying to pull the little youkai off of him. “Sorry. I’ve never seen him act like this. That’s enough, Shitoro. I mean it!” She pulled him off the human, taking a few shreds of shirt with him. “What is the matter with you? All he did was offer you some milk.”
“Not really a punishable offense,” Tamiko agreed.
“It has nothing to do with milk,” Shitoro said, his teeth bared. “Go on, tell them.”
“Tell them what?” Stephen glared at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, you pint-sized psycho.”
“Tell them your name.”
“I already did. It’s Steve Fuller. My parents are Myra and...”
“I do not care about your parents,” Shitoro hissed. “I care about you and the foul magic you are using to deceive Lady Kisaki, wizard!”
“Wizard?!”
Tamiko turned to Kisaki. “Are you following any of this?”
“No, I am not.”
“Good. I hate being the only one left in the dark.”
“You’re not making any sense, Shitoro.” Kisaki walked him back to his chair and placed him upon it. When he looked as if he were going to leap at Stephen again, she stepped in front of him and pointed her finger at the seat. After a moment, he acquiesced and sat, although his eyes never left their host.
“I swear I have no idea what I’ve done,” Stephen said, rubbing his singed backside.
Tamiko looked between them all, then turned to Kisaki. “Do you two need a moment?”
Kisaki shrugged. “Perhaps that is not a bad idea.”
Tamiko stepped up to Stephen and entwined her arm in his. “Come on. You promised us some lemonade. I’ll help you get it. I’ve never seen an American kitchen before.”
“Ouch!”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he replied, leading her out of the room. “But first maybe we can stop so I can change my clothes and grab some Band-Aids.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Kisaki sat down opposite Shitoro. She stared at the tiger demon, who locked eyes with her for a moment before turning away. There was something in her gaze that was different, although he couldn’t quite put his finger upon it.
“Explain yourself, Shitoro.”
“There is nothing to explain, except to say that you should not trust that deceiver.”
“Explain yourself,” Kisaki repeated, somehow doing a good enough impersonation of her mother that Shitoro’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“Yes, m-my lady,” he quickly said. “Where to begin?”
“At the beginning, perhaps?” she replied with a smile.
Shitoro’s eyes narrowed, but then he did as he was told. “Your mother met your father shortly after awakening from a three-hundred-year nap.”
“Why had my mother been asleep?”
“Boredom,” he replied. “The daimao often sleep for centuries at a stretch. It helps pass the time. Eternal life is a life often spent doing the same things while viewing the same sights over and over again. Even with the breadth of the multiverse at one’s fingertips, it would be enough to drive one mad after several millennia. If anything, you were born into a unique age. I do not ever recall a time before now when all of the daimao were awake and active together for so long. Often a few or more will continue to slumber even when their brothers and sisters are up and about. It is all part of the celestial cycle.”
“But you said something is different about now. What?”
“In the past, travel between Earth and the palace was commonplace. Nothing was thought of it. Mazoku and youkai alike would come and go. Even the daimao themselves frequently made the journey.”
“But you said it was forbidden.”
“It is now.”
“Why?”
He waved a hand dismissively. “It is of no concern for what I am trying to tell you. What is, is that your mother was one of the last of the daimao to visit Earth. It wasn’t a trip of any great importance. She merely wanted to stretch her legs after her slumber. But it was during that excursion that she met your father.”
Kisaki smiled as if appreciating hearing this, which Shitoro imagined she did. Though loyal to his mistress, he was not without empathy for the girl’s plight. Before coming here, she’d never been given reason to even consider the concept of a father. But now that it was out, he was certain it was like a growing seed inside of her. She’d always been a curious child, but now she had a focus for that curiosity: her own origin. He needed to tread carefully, but it was difficult to do when she was giving him orders in a tone that he instinctively wanted to obey.
“I’m still not following what this has to do with Stephen being a wizard,” she said.
“It is simple,” Shitoro replied, leaning forward. “The lying cur is not what he seems. He is your father!”
♦ ♦ ♦
“What?!” Kisaki cried.
“Everything okay in there?” Tamiko called from elsewhere in the house.
“Yes, yes,” Shitoro replied. “Stop eavesdropping!”
“No, it is not okay,” Kisaki replied to him, but in a low voice. “What do you mean, he’s my father?”
“Exactly as I have said.” Shitoro hopped off the chair and walked over to stand next to Kisaki. He put his hand upon hers as if to be comforting. “Poor, ignorant child. I know this must be difficult to hear.”
“It is more difficult to understand. Explain yourself.”
“Have I not already?” When she didn’t answer, he gave a pained sigh. “Very well. As I have told you, I was once your mother’s chief servant. For nearly fourteen centuries, I served her faithfully. As a result, I gained her trust. Upon her return from Earth, she seemed different. I inquired as to this.” Kisaki raised an eyebrow, to which he added, “Not to pry, but because I was concerned for her. Powerful as the daimao may be, I still worry about your mother’s well-being.”
“I would never question your loyalty, Shitoro. Don’t worry.”
“I am glad to hear that. Your mother told me about the human she met. According to her, he was different from the rest, obviously from elsewhere than the blessed isles yet sharing the same warrior spi
rit that the heroes of old possessed. Once she started talking, she could not stop speaking of him. She said he was kind, smart, exotically handsome. His touch was...” He stopped and looked at Kisaki, as if noticing her there for the first time. “Well, never you mind that. Suffice it to say, your mother was smitten with him and it sounded as if he felt the same, although in his case, I cannot say I find that surprising. Your mother is a divine beauty, unrivaled in all of the...”
“I get the point,” Kisaki interrupted. “My father?”
“Your mother has never lacked for suitors within the celestial palace, including some who are clearly unworthy of her.” His face clouded over for a moment as he seemingly became lost in the memory, but then he looked up and resumed. “But none caught her interest, at least until she met this human. They had one night together, just one, but in that time, she gave herself fully to him. You were the result of their short time together.”
Kisaki smiled as she pictured it. Though she had no suitors herself, locked away as she’d been, she’d read a great deal. The stories of war and battle were the ones that caught her attention most, but many of those tales had undertones of romance, some of them epic in their scope. She would be lying if she claimed to have never fantasized about the doors to her mother’s chamber being kicked open from the outside and in striding a great warrior come to claim her.
“But if they connected so deeply, why just one night?” she asked after a moment.
“The edict,” Shitoro explained. “Travel to Earth was forbidden soon after she and your father met. It was only later that she realized she was with child.”
“So what happened?”
“You were born and subsequently bequeathed the greatest of gifts,” he said, grinning.
“Let me guess,” Kisaki replied with a smile. “You as my guardian?”
“Precisely.”
“But my father?”
“Your mother kept tabs on him for a time. Her powers are vast and she had touched him with them. Even years later, she was still able to reach out across the vast distance separating them and feel him.”
“For how long?”
“A few decades. Over the years, your father moved on, chose a new mate, and had cubs of his own. Your mother didn’t begrudge him his happiness, knowing that humans were as short lived as they are. After a time, though, her influence faded from him and she learned no more. This area of Earth was the last known place she was aware of him residing. It is why we came here.”
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