"Are you sure he's still alive?" Tsuki asked his sister.
"How long ago was it?" Kaito asked.
"Maybe one hundred years? I lost track of time, this place can be deadly boring," Akira replied. She fanned out her hand, examining her nails.
"Wonderful. So we may or may not have instructions from Kazue herself written on the staff, but there's no way of knowing without finding this man who is most likely dead," Suzume summarized.
"Exactly," Tsuki said. Akira had shifted into Tsuki as Suzume was summarizing their predicament. Tsuki grinned from ear to ear.
Suzume threw up her hands.
Ah, then that is their motive. There's something in the mountains they want. Fair enough, I'll play along for now, Kaito thought.
"I think we should try. What could it hurt?" Kaito said to the group at large.
Suzume glared at him.
If anything, this quest for the missing priest might give him a chance to lure Hisato out of hiding. He wanted Suzume, and if he played his cards right, he might just figure out why.
42
According to Akira, the old man lived in the mountains behind the temple—that is, if he was still among the living. Either way, they had to get out. And chasing after this alleged expert was a good enough reason for now.
The priests followed the party off the temple grounds. Much to Suzume's dismay, they did not exit out the main gates with the red arches but out a small back gate like a group of lurking thieves. This is humiliating. We saved their temple from complete destruction; it was only partially destroyed. No one has any gratitude these days.
The rear gate, despite Suzume's fear, was not a crack in a wall. There was a small red arch with charms dangling from it and twirling in a slight breeze. Suzume tilted her head back, trying to read the black markings on the white paper, but she could not get a clear look at them. What are they trying to keep out?
Akira was the first to step through the arches, and when nothing cataclysmic happened, the others followed. A short stone walkway ended at the edge of the forest and beyond that was a twisting narrow forest path. It divided at random and ended without warning. It appeared to have been created by some forest animal. A wider path switched back and forth up the hill and disappeared into the forest.
Suzume looked up at the hillside. It loomed green and massive before her.
"How far exactly do we need to go to confirm this former priest is dead?" Suzume asked the group at large.
Kaito, a few feet behind Akira, grinned. I bet he would not mind if we never found this priest; it's all about the journey for him. He always seemed to enjoy the prospect of an adventure. Rin walked between Suzume and Kaito. She too looked to Akira for an answer, with a hint of skepticism. Akira was the leader for this hapless venture, it seemed.
Akira lifted a shoulder. "Until we find him," she said and proceeded to pick her way through the trail. She walked with confidence through the maze of animal trails, even though she had been trapped inside the temple for a very long time.
Suzume huffed. Maybe if I lingered behind, I could find a reason to make the priests keep me. I am Kazue's reincarnation and this is her temple. She looked longingly back at the temple to the line of priests who were blocking any attempt at return. Though she could not see it, she could sense a barrier being erected around the temple. There was a tingling in the air, and the wind didn't blow through the trees on the grounds of the temples the way it was through the trees outside of it. The four or so priests standing by the gate were chanting together. No going back there, I suppose. She heaved a sigh and continued after her companions.
The climb was long, hard, and endless. Her companions all were possessed of superior strength and stamina, and Suzume found herself falling behind more and more. Rin hung back, waiting for Suzume to catch up more than once, and at last Suzume snapped at her.
"Hurry up, or the others are going to get away without us," she said, picking up her pace though her limbs screamed in protest.
"You're not strong enough to keep up with them," Rin said matter-of-factly.
It was true. But it pricked at Suzume's pride, and when her pride was pricked, she struck back. "I don't need help from you. I know you're only doing this because you feel guilty about Kaito knowing I am Kazue. Or you're jealous and you feel guilty for that because you love him."
A complicated mix of emotions crossed Rin's expression. Suzume hadn't really meant to hurt the Kitsune. She had just lashed out without thinking, like she usually did. She did not really think Rin loved Kaito, not romantically, but Rin had taken the words to heart, it seemed.
"You know what? You're probably better off on your own." Rin turned, flicked her tail, and bounded up the trail, leaving Suzume in her dust.
Suzume swore and kicked a nearby rock. It slid down the hill and rattled the undergrowth as it rolled away. Suzume plopped down on the side of the road. Forget them. Forget the probably dead guy, and forget Kazue and her task. I'm not going another step.
She folded her hands over her chest and exhaled. Then she waited. It was shady under the tree and light filtered through the leaves, creating a mosaic of shadows on the ground. The wind whistled by, rustling the branches. Suzume looked around. From her vantage point on the hill she could see the temple. It was not as far away as she would have hoped for how much effort she put into climbing this hill.
The temple buildings spread out across the compound in neat rows. Well, they had been. She could see the full picture of the destruction Hisato had wrought. The splinters of wood scattered about contrasted against the remains of the formerly orderly gardens. Beams and support frames stood out against the blue sky like sentinels over the destruction. Priests moved about, carrying away rubble and sifting through debris. There were scars in the earth from where Rin and Kaito had battled. The main shrine was nothing but broken wood from when Kaito had removed the roof. We really did a number on that shrine. No wonder they chased us out.
Suzume turned away and surveyed the forest instead. She did not like the feeling of guilt that she associated with looking at the shrine. The forest was dense and massive. It stretched out in each direction further than she could see. It was like being in the center of a sea of trees. Off in the distance, she saw a flock of birds take flight just as the trees themselves began to convulse and bend over.
The trees parted, divided in half by what she could only assume was a huge creature. Whatever was breaking the trees was headed up the hill in her direction. She stood up and reached for her staff, which she had strapped across her back. According to Tsuki, having it strapped to her back would make it easier to draw when necessary. It also kept the staff from encumbering her walking.
She held onto the handle without drawing it. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's the wind in the trees? The crack and snap of trees breaking echoed over the treetops towards her, followed by a deep guttural roar. The ground beneath her feet trembled beneath the force of its footsteps. Now is a good time to run. Which way should she go? It would be faster and easier to go downhill, in the opposite direction, but that put them on even ground. With her luck, it was after her, and if she was going downhill, it would make her easier to catch. Her other option was uphill, which would be slower but might put some distance between her and whatever was breaking the trees.
She pondered for another moment until a group of deer burst through the underbrush, leaping and attempting to flee whatever was drawing closer. Suzume left her staff strapped to her back and ran uphill away from the creature that was tearing through the forest in her direction. Her limbs were tight and angry, her breathing labored. She forced herself to stick with the stream of deer and followed the paths they did, swinging around trees and stumbling through the undergrowth. They were much more agile and less prone to catching their clothes on low-hanging branches and they quickly outraced her. Suzume's energy flagged and she slowed down.
The creature was almost upon her. The vibrations of its stomping footsteps reverberated through her entire body. She
would have to stop and fight or hope it did not blow her over. She considered climbing a tree, but hearing the sickening crunch of trees being destroyed behind her, Suzume decided against that idea.
She ran ahead as fast as she could. Up the slope was a fallen gingko tree. The tree had fallen lengthwise on the slope and gotten wedged on a boulder. Dirt had slid down the hill and gathered behind the log, making a natural platform. It was her best chance at gaining an upper hand—literally—against whatever was coming her way. There, at least, she could see her attacker and make an assessment as to her danger—with her luck it was almost absolute. She whipped her staff out from the strap on her back and put herself into a defensive position, feet spread apart and staff crossed in front of her.
The Oni burst through the trees just as Suzume prepared herself to stand and fight. It was massive, over twelve feet tall, with bright blue skin. Gray horns jutted out from his protruding brow and large fangs stuck out from beneath his bulbous lips. He smiled when he saw Suzume standing there and revealed several more sharp teeth.
"Priestess," he bellowed, "you should not have come to my forest. I smelled you the moment you left the temple. Now I will devour you!" He laughed as he slapped his enormous blue gut, which hung over the edge of his ragged loincloth.
His squat muscled legs were as big around as tree trunks. He held a battered and filthy giant club covered in what appeared to be dried blood.
Now would be a good time for Kaito or someone to come and intervene.
"I have no intention of being your meal. I would never let someone so ugly and stupid eat me," Suzume taunted. It wasn't her best idea, but she didn't have a lot of options at this point.
His beady eyes glowed red as he rushed towards Suzume. She twirled her staff and sang the incantation Akira had taught her to make a barrier. A shimmering barrier flew up to deflect the blow of the Oni's club just as he swung it in an arc towards Suzume's head. The club struck the barrier and red sparks flew where they collided. The Oni took a lurching step back. He had not been expecting a barrier, it seemed.
Suzume used his momentary confusion to her advantage and lunged forward with the staff. She jabbed at his gut with the end of it and focused her energy, channeling it through it as Akira had taught her. A red streak of light erupted from the tip and the Oni fell backwards onto his back before rolling down the hill a few feet.
Suzume panted. Unused to utilizing her powers, even the small burst of energy drained her. She wanted to run away, but the Oni was back on its feet, roaring with anger. It charged again towards Suzume when she felt the barrier flicker and die. She turned and ran up the hill. She weaved in and out of trees, but it did nothing to dissuade the Oni. It plowed through everything without stopping.
I have to do something.
Up ahead, there was a low-hanging branch. She grabbed onto it and with some difficulty climbed up into the tree. The Oni lumbered towards her. She held onto her staff with sweaty hands, debating her plan. The Oni grabbed a hold of the tree she was in and shook it. Leaves fell onto his head and Suzume wrapped her arms around the branch to keep from falling. There's nowhere else to go. With a blind leap of faith, she jumped down and onto the Oni's shoulders. She clung to his thick neck by swinging the staff across it and holding on to each end of her staff. She pressed her face against his rough back. It was like cuddling with a giant rock. Her powers were so depleted she felt nothing but a faint tickle as her natural defenses tried to protect her from close contact with the Oni.
The Oni swung his club wildly and shook back and forth, trying to get her off his back. Now what? All she could do now was pray she came up with a better plan before he tried to squish her against a tree. Her legs scrambled up his back, looking for purchase. But she couldn't find a toehold. Her fingers were going numb from holding on. This is not how I imagined I would die.
Then the Oni swung hard right with his club, seemingly having forgotten about Suzume, who was riding piggyback.
"Suzume, let go!" Tsuki shouted up to her. He ran back in forth in front of the Oni, trying to draw his attention.
"Are you crazy? He'll smash me to bits," she called back to him.
"Throw the staff to me; I can defeat him with it."
She hesitated. Not only was the staff the only thing keeping her on the Oni's back, she hated the idea of giving up the staff to anybody, even Tsuki. He is the staff's guardian, though. Then again, if it was down to her and the staff, she supposed she chose herself. Suzume used her flagging energy to climb up higher on the Oni's back and grabbed a fat fold in the Oni's neck. She let go of one side of the staff and tossed it as hard as she could. It fell to the ground a few feet from the Oni, between it and Tsuki. Tsuki scuttled forward to retrieve the staff. The Oni swung its club, and Tsuki rolled out of the way, the edge of the club just grazing the top of his head.
Suzume let go and slid down the back of the Oni like some grotesque slide. Her skin was raw and chafed from where the Oni's rough skin had brushed against her and her powers had feebly tried to protect her. She ran away from the thundering Oni, who twisted back and forth, trying to choose a target for his rage.
Tsuki jumped and hit the Oni in the head, drawing its attention at last to him. Tsuki held the staff horizontally in front of him. The Oni swung his club and brought it down hard on the staff. Tsuki deflected the Oni's attack with a forward thrust and pushed it back. They traded blows, Tsuki landing quite a few on the belly of the Oni, which had little effect.
The Oni caught Tsuki unaware as he tried to lunge for the Oni's shoulder, and knocked Tsuki onto his back. Tsuki jumped back up and narrowly avoided having his skull crushed by the Oni's club. After a while the Oni slowed down. His labored breathing was loud enough to shake the trees around him. Tsuki took his opportunity to attack the Oni's head as he leaned down in an ineffectual attempt to swipe at Tsuki. Tsuki struck the Oni in the eye with the end of the staff. The staff sank in deep and gore spilled out, soaking Tsuki in gray blood.
Suzume swallowed back the bile that rose into her mouth as the Oni stumbled backwards and collapsed on the ground, unmoving. Tsuki stood over the dead Oni with a grin plastered across his face, covered in gore, and a bit of something that looked suspiciously like brain matter clung to his long black hair.
"Why are you always such a slob?" Akira asked, using Tsuki's form. Hearing her voice coming from Tsuki's mouth was disturbing in itself, but seeing him covered as he was, Suzume had to turn away to hide her disgust. They make killing look so easy.
Just then Rin and Kaito arrived on the scene. They both surveyed the dead body and Tsuki's bloody person with relative calm.
"What happened here?" Kaito asked. His tone was difficult to read, and Suzume was not sure if he was upset, excited, or indifferent.
"This thing was trying to eat me, you know, the usual." She pointed to the dead body with a shrug of her shoulders. She hoped no one noticed her shaking hands. This was probably her closest brush with death yet.
"That's what happens when you fall behind," Kaito said in dismissal and he turned to head back up the hill.
"Thanks for the concern!" Suzume shouted after his retreating back.
"Anytime!" he replied.
He always has to have the last word, doesn't he?
43
They wandered around the forest until dusk fell. At which point, Suzume gave up the pretense and demanded they rest. Who knew what lurked about in the forest, waiting to come and try to devour her. Then again, she had been almost eaten so many times it was hard to get excited about it anymore. They set up camp, which wasn't much more than a fire pit and a few sleeping mats rolled out. Not for the first time, Suzume wondered why the immortals even pretended to rest. Surely they did not need sleep.
Suzume plopped down on her sleeping mat. She was considering rolling up in a blanket and forgetting the world when Tsuki came and sat down beside her.
"You did good today," he said with his characteristic grin.
Suzume scowled at him.
"At what point did I do good? When I was clinging for dear life from the monster's back or the part when you had to sweep in and save me?"
Though she knew she did not have the skills to fend for herself, she was tired of playing the weak and helpless damsel in distress. Whoa, that's a new concept. Before this nightmare started, I would have loved to play damsel in distress. Men like feeling as if they saved the day. Of course, I never knew what real danger was waiting beyond the palace walls. It's eat or be eaten out here, literally.
"You have the raw talent. You just need to tap into your potential as a fighter," Tsuki said, and the surprising thing was he sounded sincere.
She snorted. "I have raw talent because I am Kazue's reincarnation, right? Everything flows from her." She could not hide the bitterness in her tone.
Tsuki shook his head and his long black hair swung from side to side. "No, that's not what I meant. You have fire in you. I can see Kazue in you, but I also see something different. It's a spark that sets you apart from her."
She narrowed her eyes and regarded him. It was no secret she despised the fact that everything about her life seemed to be predestined by her past life. Which begged the question: was Tsuki just trying to get on her good side? And why?
"What do you want?" she asked bluntly.
He had the good sense to pretend to be offended. He pressed a hand to his chest and opened his mouth in feigned shock. "Can't I pay you a compliment?"
"No."
He laughed. It was an almost sensual sound, dark and husky. That was one thing he had in common with his sister, oozing sex appeal. Though Tsuki seemed to lean more toward playful, Suzume could not shake the feeling that the entangled siblings had an alternate agenda.
"You caught me." He turned to look at her. His eyes were hooded and his lips parted slightly.
Suzume cocked her head back and gave him a look. "What's with the bedroom eyes?"
He leaned forward. "Maybe I'm paying you a compliment so I can get closer to you. It's been five hundred years since I've been near a woman I don't share a body with."
The Dragon Saga Box Set Page 31