Hikaru hesitated to reply; his family’s business was private. It had not occurred to him until this moment that she may very well be a spy sent by their enemies. “It is not right for me to speak of war in a lady’s presence.”
She crossed her arms in front of her in a most unladylike fashion.
He sighed. “We are preparing for war. There has been tension between the clans.”
She looked back to the men fighting, her expression thoughtful.
“There is no need to worry, your father and mine are allies. You are safe here.” He dearly hoped she was not a spy and he was just being paranoid.
She smiled, but it lacked the conviction of her previous smiles. Her eyes seemed troubled.
“Hikaru, have you decided to take up swordplay?”
His brother Hotaru approached them. Rin perked up as he approached. His brother’s hair was down and he dabbed at his face with a towel. He had hoped his brother would be distracted by his loss and not notice them. I’ve never seen anyone beat Hotaru before.
“I was showing Lady Nishimori around,” Hikaru replied. It was difficult to keep the ice from his tone when Rin looked at Hotaru like a woman dying of thirst.
His brother looked Rin up and down, his gaze slow and languid. Hikaru’s hands balled into fists at his sides. Hotaru had a reputation with women; his natural magnetism and position made it easy. Hikaru stepped discreetly in front of Rin, drawing his brother’s attention to him.
“I see you have met your match, brother.” Hikaru nodded towards Captain Sadao.
Hotaru laughed. “I have to let them win from time to time. It keeps up morale.”
Hikaru rolled his eyes, but his brother did not notice. While the captain did not appear taxed at all, Hotaru’s brow glistened with sweat and his breathing remained labored. Hotaru stepped around Hikaru to approach Lady Rin. “I have heard much about you, my lady. The rumors of your beauty do not do you justice.”
Rin batted her eyes at Hotaru.
“We should be going. This is not a place for a woman to linger,” Hikaru said and grabbed onto Rin’s wrist without thinking. He pulled Rin along after him. She came, but when they were alone again, she wrenched her hand from his.
She glared at him and he could see the accusation in her eyes.
“Don’t be angry, Lady Nishimori, my brother has a reputation—” He choked on the rest of his words. He dared not offend her further.
She tossed her head and stomped away from him. He went to chase after her when he was intercepted by a servant, who stepped into his path, blocking him from following after Rin.
“My lord, your father bid me give you a message.”
“What is it?” Hikaru snarled. He looked past the servant to Rin, who was about to turn the corner and out of sight.
“He has sent me to remind you that your wife is to come soon, and it would not be appropriate to be seen paying any special attention to our guest.”
Hikaru looked at the servant. His eyes were lowered, but he knew how his father’s men reveled in delivering his decrees.
“Tell my father I do not forget my place.” He clenched his jaw, biting back what he would rather say.
“Lady Nishimori!” Hotaru called out to her. Though he was not one to shout, he did not want her to get away. He was fortunate his brother was stupid enough to fall for a fake message. She did not turn around, so he called out again, “Lady Nishimori.”
Again she ignored him. Perhaps he had offended her? He jogged to catch up with her. A few servants saw him and gave him an indulgent smile. He grinned back. They turned their heads away, pretending not to see his uncouth manner. His father would be furious if he saw him chasing after a woman in broad daylight, shouting like a child at play. But because he had the hearts of the servants, he could do as he wished and his father would be none the wiser. His people loved him. He was more like them than his brother, who looked down upon them.
She turned suddenly and saw him jogging towards her. A slow smile spread over her features and he saw that glint in her eye that he had spotted before. Hikaru had all but dropped the perfect prize in his lap. He might not be able to take his brother’s spot as future elder, but a good marriage could make all the difference. He caught up to Lady Nishimori and bowed. She tilted her head, looking him up and down, but did not bow in return. Does she think herself better than me?
The sudden flash of temper was quickly squashed. He replaced his frown with a charming grin. He needed her. The Nishimoris were wealthy, if not a bit eccentric, something he was willing to deal with if he could win her.
“My lady, I am sorry to chase after you in this way. I had to speak with you.”
She raised an elegant brow, curiosity plain on her features.
“Do not think me forward, but I wanted to know if you would walk with me?”
She nodded her head and they fell into step together easily enough. Hotaru pointed out the different buildings and spoke of the founders of their clan, one of the first in the region to build a palace. He showed her his father’s additions to the sprawling palace grounds, gardens and a temple to their patron Kami.
“This was built by my father some fifteen years ago.” He pointed to the freestanding structure; it was surrounded by decorative plants and painted bright red. The roof was made of black tile, and strings of ofuda hung along a tori arch that separated the temple from the courtyard beyond. Inside they could see screens made of wooden squares. “The original shrine is sealed away and in disrepair. I used to play there when I was a boy until I heard about the ghost that haunts it.”
He smirked at her, hoping to get a rise out of her. She blinked at him without fear.
“Do you not fear ghosts, my lady?”
She smirked in return.
He liked her fire. She was not a demure flower like the other women he met. She had a pretty smile and a comely expression; a pity she was mute, she would have been a perfect bride. But second sons never got perfect brides. He was sure if he presented the match to Lord Kaedemori, he would be sure to agree. At last you do something right, Hikaru. This girl will be a great asset to me.
“Perhaps my lady would like to see the haunted shrine?”
She nodded. He looked over his shoulder. One of the maids trailed after them, most likely charged with keeping Lady Nishimori’s virtue intact. But for what he planned, that would never do. He grabbed her wrist and pulled.
“Run,” he said and they ran down the hallways, the maid shouting after them. He tugged her down a corridor and then threw open a door to hide in the chamber beyond. They listened breathless as the maid ran past. Then laughing, they ran out the door and down the hall towards the hidden shrine. When they got close, he slowed his pace but did not let go of her hand. She looked around with interest, unaffected by the ominous aura that clung to this space. He had not been there in years, but something about the shrine gave him chills. They said Lord Kaedemori’s first wife haunted this place—he thought it must be true. The servants swore they heard wailing here late at night.
“We’re almost there.”
Just as they were about to round the corner and reach the shrine, they were stopped by an unwelcome intruder.
“My lord, you should not go there. It is off-limits.”
Hotaru straightened up. He winked at Rin, but she was staring at Captain Sadao. She scrutinized his face as if trying to solve a riddle. He held back a scowl; he did not want the captain to think he was a sore loser. He would be sore tomorrow, he was certain. That was the first time Captain Sadao had given him his all. He usually held back when they sparred, but there was something different about the captain since he returned from the forest. All the men had been altered by what they had seen. But did that mean he had to ruin his chance to woo Lady Nishimori?
“I was giving Lady Nishimori a tour. She wanted to see the haunted shrine.”
The captain’s gaze flickered over Hotaru and then to Rin. “I think you should leave this place, it’s not safe.” He
looked at them both when he spoke, but his words seemed like they were directed at Rin.
Hotaru opened his mouth to argue, but Rin rested a hand on his shoulder and he desisted.
“Very well, we will go and find amusement elsewhere.”
Disappointed and angry at being shamed by the captain twice in one day, he turned and grabbed Rin, urging her to follow. The men might love him and the servants might worship him, but when it came down to it, he had no real power. And that fact chafed. He gripped her wrist tighter than he intended, and after a few moments she wrenched her hand away from him. He replaced his smile, smothering his anger beneath a friendly mask.
She looked at him warily, her eyes scrutinizing him. He had not meant to show his anger. He was usually good about hiding that behind a carefully crafted facade. “There are many places to see around the palace. The moon-viewing pool is beautiful at night. Perhaps you’d like to meet me there tonight?”
She looked him up and down as if assessing him. It did not sit well; his temper, already rubbed raw, could not stand her judgment as well. He did not need another person to find him wanting. He had to take control of the situation, just as he would make his own destiny. He rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Excuse me for being direct, but perhaps your coming here was not an accident?”
Her eyes grew wide and panic fluttered across her expression. That was not what he was expecting. It was not unheard of for a nobleman to send an eligible daughter to entice a lord into marriage. But Lady Nishimori was like no noble lady he had ever met. She should know this game. They all danced this dance: flirt, negotiate, and marry. But she looked frightened of him as if he had uncovered a deeper secret. Perhaps she did not come here looking for a husband. Could it be she is not a lady at all?
He had to be sure. “Let me speak plainly. I know why you are here.”
She met his gaze unblinking, chin lifted and defiant. She did not demure like other noble ladies. She is very strange.
“I am looking for supporters, and I think your father could be one of those. Perhaps a marriage could even be arranged between our houses.”
She took a step back, relief on her face. She is hiding something.
“Forgive me, that is not something I should address to you. I should write to your father.”
She shook her head and then rested her hand on his arm and squeezed as she drew closer to him, and her breast brushed against his chest. She does not act like a lady, and she’s wanton. She is no noble lady. I would bet my life on it.
He tore his hand away. “Who are you? Are you a spy?”
She recoiled and shook her head. Before he could question her further, her breathless maid caught up with them at last. He dared not interrogate the lady in front of a servant. If he had misread her, it could cause a scandal, one he could not afford. He would wait and watch to find out more.
“My lady! This is highly inappropriate.” Then seeing Hotaru, she bowed with a blush and led Lady Nishimori away with a quick apology. He watched them retreat, his mind whirling. What has my brother brought into this place?
9
Could the witch have given me a more difficult task? I simply have to break their treaty, without magic and without a way to talk to people. It’s as if she set me up to fail. Rin tossed a few pebbles into the well. The water rippled, spreading outward. I could do with a bit of chaos. That’s what Kitsune are best at anyway. She did not move right away and stood staring at the water’s surface. Why did Hikaru have to be such a bore? I liked him; I thought he might help me in my plot. He seemed discontent when we spoke with his father. But failing him, Hotaru would suit. She sighed. But then again, he knows I am a spy—or at least he suspects.
She walked down the stairs away from the well. The maid, Yuri, who had been assigned to Rin’s care, stood a few feet away. She trembled whenever Rin looked in her direction. And right now she was shaking. Rin pursed her lips. I’d rather be alone. It makes spying easier if she is not hovering over me.
The garden where Rin had been lingering most of the morning was at the center of the palace. Hallways radiated out from it; she had watched as minor clansmen bustled about. They all quickened their pace when they came close to her. They all feared her, she suspected. Which was almost laughable, she could do nothing to them in this form. After a careful study of the landscape, it seemed the most traffic went down the center hallway. She brushed past the handmaiden and went towards the hall.
“My lady, you cannot go that way,” Yuri said, her voice as tiny as a mouse.
Rin gave her the most imperious look she could manage. The girl took a step back. Rin shook her head and walked in that direction. The young woman ran in front of her.
“That area is forbidden to women. It is a man’s place,” she said. Her bottom lip quivered. It would not be hard to knock the girl over and go anyway. But Rin knew she would not get far. The humans loved their rules and ceremony.
Rin bowed, pretending to be the obedient lady. But the young girl only scrunched her nose in confusion. The bowing seemed important to the humans, but she could not get the timing right. Rin turned to head towards her chamber, Yuri trailing after her. Back at her chamber, Rin pointed to the veranda that overlooked her private garden and with a slashing motion indicated the handmaiden should leave.
“Will you be needing anything?” Yuri asked.
Rin replied with a quick shake of her head. The girl all but ran from the room. She waited, listening to the sound of her receding footsteps, and when she was sure she was gone, she smiled to herself.
Rin shed her outer robes, down to the shift beneath. The copious layers of silk the humans favored kept her from moving freely. She wriggled her toes free of the socks the handmaiden had insisted she wear. She could feel the air against her skin, and she peeled the fabric from her sweaty skin. Standing in the center of the symmetrical, orderly garden, she longed for the forest, the open places, and the disorganized beauty of the wild. She wished she had her proper sense of smell and all the other little things she had taken for granted before. All these humans said one thing and their body language indicated another. Take Hikaru and his brother, though they used polite words with one another, the air practically crackled between them. I think I have something there, if I can use their animosity for my own devices.
At the opposite end of the garden a vine grew up the wall nearly to the roof. Rin stood at the base of the plant and looked up. She flexed her fingers and then tugged on the vines, testing their hold on the trellis. When she was certain they would hold, she proceeded to climb up. At the top the vines were thinner and they pulled away from the wall. One broke loose and she leaned backwards, the ground spinning beneath her. Blindly, she swung her arm out to grab at the edge of the roof. With the tips of her fingers, she clawed her way up onto the top of the roof. She lay face down on the warm tiles for a moment as she panted. I do not have the same strength in this form. I must remember that. One misstep and I will snap my neck.
When she had caught her breath, she crouched on the roof and surveyed the palace from above. Much of it was connected by covered walkways. From up above, she could see the wider pathways leading to the center and the hidden parts of the palace, including the allegedly haunted shrine. A part of her wanted to investigate, but she knew she had to focus on the task at hand. Once she had her bearings, she set out, hunched over in a slow waddle, towards her destination. She needed to learn more about the palace. Who was an enemy of whom, and what were their desires and goals. In that respect the palace was not much different than the Dragon’s kingdom.
The palace occupants scurried just beneath her feet. She heard murmured conversations, servants greeting one another in the halls. They gossiped with one another about nothing of consequence to her. Her name came up more than once; the servants whispered it as if saying it would bring her down upon their heads. She considered doing just that, but as amusing as that would be, it would ruin all her spying efforts. She stopped on the rooftop
closest to the center, where the family resided.
“You won’t win with that tactic,” said a grizzled voice.
“War is won with wit, don’t you know that, you old fool?” replied a thin reedy voice.
Rin crept closer to the edge of the roof. She tilted her head to hear better. She was surprised she had heard them at all. Human hearing was sadly lacking.
“There, take that,” said the grizzled voice.
“You’re a cheat. This is why no one wants to play with you, Arata,” said the reedy voice.
What are they arguing about? Holding onto the edge of the roof, she lowered her head over. All the blood rushed downward and her arms shook as she peeked upside down at the room beneath her. Two old men sat at a board covered in square tiles. The first old man, with wisps of white hair tied into a topknot on top of his head, stroked his beard as he regarded the board. The second old man, who was completely bald, crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
“Taking longer will not win you the game,” he taunted his opponent.
Just then the doors at the opposite end of the room slid open. A woman knelt by the door and was focused on picking up a platter. When she looked up, her eyes met Rin’s. She screamed and the two men jumped, nearly toppling over the board. Rin yanked her head back and ran over the rooftops and away. But not fast enough, it seemed.
“It was an evil spirit, I saw it!” the woman screamed.
The shouts seemed to ripple out from there. I must run or I will be caught. The rooftop ended at a gap. Footsteps hammered behind her, and at the far end of the roof, soldiers climbed up and closed the gap between them. If they found her sneaking about, Lord Kaedemori was sure to lock her up or worse. She looked down at the ground below. There was a small garden, with a pond in the center. The space was not so far that she felt she could not jump it. But she was judging it based on her fox abilities. As a woman, she might fall and break her fragile neck.
Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling Page 7