by Paul Kidd
Discovering a fleck of gravel in one sandal, Kuno made the mistake of slipping off both sandals and standing barefoot on the path. He immediately hopped about and hastily put his footwear back on. The paths were actually hot! He looked swiftly up – but thankfully the fox was busy making snacks, and had failed to notice his little faux pas.
Sura set out her tray, arranging cups, drinks and snacks with a sprig of pine needles in a vase for good measure. “Right! Eggs eggs eggs! Sakē – sakē. Pork dumplings, fried venison, rice cakes. Goblin wine!” She reached down beside the spring in triumph. “Ah – and the duck!”
Hidden out of sight had been a tray piled with duck legs, duck wings, sauce and piles of little rolled pancakes. The fox looked upon it as a masterpiece. “Ah! Crispy fried duck in little pancakes! Thank the gods they have a proper chef!”
Kuno looked at the great steaming pile of crispy duck, and Sura’s platter of meaty treats. He folded his arms in disapproval.
“Animal flesh! And in such quantities! That is most un-Buddhist!”
“Hello? For the eleven billionth time, I am not a Buddhist!” Sura balanced her trays with cheerful grace. “Get with the program! ‘Way of the Fox’, man! We’re sort of spiritual old-school Taoists. You know – the fun kind!”
The samurai gave a scowl. “Even so, you are a priestess. A medium! Someone you know could have been reborn as that animal!”
“Yeah – well, then they should have learned how to dodge!” The fox spied a monkey perched on a rock nearby. “Ooh – I wonder if monkey tastes any good?”
“There are times when you are most insufferable.”
The fox struck a pose. “Yeah, but I look cute in just a robe!”
She hefted her two trays and began heading down the steps towards the baths. She waved a tail towards the springs.
“Those eggs are for you guys! Now hurry up – Chiri’s already in there!”
The male and female baths were separated by a little rocky causeway topped by a bamboo fence. Sura headed down towards the female baths, swaying with disturbingly supple elegance. Kuno pulled his own robe straight, turned aside, and settled down to retrieve the boiled eggs one by one out of the spring.
Domei appeared, the scarred young man sourly leading Tonbo towards the pools. Tonbo was dressed in a thin yukata robe, carried sword and dagger in his belt, and still had his immense tetsubo slung over one shoulder. He nodded to Kuno, and stood gazing suspiciously out over the steam and snow.
Sura’s voice carried from further down the steps.
“Tonbo! Put the weapons down!” The fox gave a snort. “We need to talk with you about relaxation procedures…”
Tonbo just held onto his weapon and scowled.
Kuno gathered up the eggs in a little towel. Domei stood waiting, then bowed and showed the way down towards the mens’ baths.
They descended past rocks dotted with monkeys and trees heavy with snow. They passed a great rock statue of a frog, then came at last to the baths.
A great, broad pool was fed by sparkling, splashing steams that tumbled down from the boiling springs above. There were areas shaded by thatched rooves above, but most of the pool was open to the sky, with rocks set here and there as little islands in amongst the steam.
Stools and little bathing buckets sat over to one side. The young man silently indicated their presence, bowed, and immediately took his leave.
Apparently no one would be helping to wash backs or collect towels. There were no servants or bath assistants. Kuno was oddly pleased: the place seemed best appreciated in absolute peace. The echo of water, the splash and spill of the streams – the faint scent of pine mingling with the sharp smell of mineral water. It was all soothing – in some way, haunting. Kuno turned slowly, looking up at the mountain peak framed against a clear blue sky.
The inn’s mistress arrived, carrying a tray laden with bottles, little dumplings and bean cakes. She bowed gravely to her guests, and set the tray down close to the edge of the water.
“Forgive me for disturbing you, but my son neglected to bring the refreshments.” The woman bowed again. “I have brought buckwheat wine – a speciality of the region. I hope this will be to your satisfaction.”
Tonbo turned and frowned up the path, where Domei could be seen walking back towards the inn. The samurai folded his arms.
“Your son is disrespectful to you.”
The woman resignedly hung her head.
“He resents me for his face, honoured guest. It is nothing we can change.”
“He is a fool, to blame you for an accident.”
“Quite so, samurai – but it is a burden I am willing to bear.” The woman arose, and gave a quiet bow.
“Please do not trouble yourself over the trials of my humble family. Cold drinks are in the snow bucket beside the pool. I shall prepare dinner for you to eat at sunset. The fox priestess has made many challenging requests.”
The woman quietly departed, walking back up amongst the monkeys and the snow.
Kuno walked to the bathing stools. He set his swords aside, removed his robe and loincloth, folding both neatly and setting them on a bench nearby.
Sitting on a stool, he scooped water from the pool and washed himself. He unbound his long hair, soaped and rinsed the long locks, then tied then back with a length of twisted silk.
Kuno winced slowly and gratefully into the steaming hot baths. He relaxed inch by inch, finally submerged up to his neck. He gave a sigh, then swam over to the edge of the pool and placed a cool, folded towel atop his head.
On the far side of the fence, splashes announced that Chiri and Sura were in the baths and enjoying themselves. Kuno lazily rolled his head, looking over to the edge of the nearby pool where Tonbo still stood looking out towards the forest.
“Sura san has made one of her better decisions. The water is heavenly. A delicious contrast to the cold mountain air.” Kuno leaned back to lounge against the rim of the pool. “Are you coming in, Tonbo san?”
The big samurai was carefully scanning the woods, staring at them with unrelenting, scowling attention.
“There was a presence back in the mountains. A sense of oppression in the village…” Tonbo turned and looked back towards the inn. “Something is going on here…”
Sura’s head popped up over the bamboo fence. Dripping wet and flushed pink from the hot water, the fox scowled over at Tonbo.
“Tonbo! We are on holiday!” Sura wagged a finger. “Just because a group of investigators go to a place does not mean that an age old mystery just has to come to a head right there and then! What are the odds that just because we’re here, something evil is going to happen?” She hitched herself up – her cleavage rather pneumatically topping the fence and pointed a commanding finger over towards the water. “Now get in that bath, or I’ll hit you with a monkey!”
Tonbo shook his head and gestured towards the village. “The villagers…”
“Nuh-uh! Monkey!” Sura kept pointing at the water. “In!”
There were plenty of monkeys in easy flinging range. Tonbo frowned, but decided to let the matter slide – at least for the moment. He set his tetsubo in easy reach, removed his yukata and sat down to wash himself. Satisfied that the man was headed into the bath at long last, Sura turned and went back to her own pool.
Gloriously relaxed and utterly naked, Chiri lounged over at the far side of the pool, where hot water curtained downwards in a delightful little waterfall. The rat spirit was surrounded by sakē cups, empty wine bottles and empty snack plates. Her long white hair floated about her like a dream. Daitanishi drifted happily beside her in a sakē cup, and Bifuuko sat on her forehead, fanning at her brows. The rat gave a lazy yawn and rolled her head to watch Sura approach.
Sura was gorgeously pink and naked. She slipped into the water beside Chiri – not forgetting to bring the goblin wine. Chiri dreamily lifted a foot out of the water and wiggled her fine pink toes.
“What is it that concerns Tonbo san?”
<
br /> “Nothing that’s going to matter a bit…” Sura passed over a brimming cup of wine. She lounged back, enjoying the gorgeous sound of the little waterfall. “Peace and quiet at last!”
They clinked cups and drank.
It was a beautiful day on the mountain. Sura and Chiri downed duck pancakes, duck legs and venison. The goblin wine was as sweet as whispered promises, and could apparently double as a household cleaning product. Sura felt a decided buzz – flushing even pinker – and lounged back to rest against a beautiful smooth rock.
Daitanishi bobbed past – caught in a rough eddy of water from the waterfall. Sura reached over and lifted him up, depositing him safe and sound in her cleavage. The rock buzzed, beamed, and snuggled down in warmth and sheer luxury.
Sura beamed.
“There we go!”
Peace and quiet at long, long last.
Sunset came and painted the icy mountain peak with scarlet, pink and gold. As the first stars glittered, the Inn of Mists became the site of unaccustomed revelry. Sura was in fine voice, and even Kuno saw fit to sing. Drink flowed freely, and the kitchens performed prodigies to delight the heart of any fox. The windows of the guest room streamed with light, even though the rest of the rambling of building stayed quite dark.
Dinner was a thing of truly monumental proportions – an epic fit for song and fable. There were crayfish served in a tart sauce, roasted ribs from a wild boar, venison, dried abalone and a great plate of golden roasted quails. There were bowls of purple rice, little cakes and crystallised fruit – and a great many flasks of wine.
Sura ate like a beast possessed: wise diners kept their hands well clear of her teeth. She shifted to her half-and-half form – possibly because her fox muzzle gave her more volume for seizing and swallowing food. The fox ate and laughed, ate and drank – then ate some more. She fed Chiri choice titbits – she fed Tonbo choice titbits, and poured Kuno the finest goblin wine.
An hour later, the entire room was covered with wreckage. Like some terrible battlefield, it was filled with bones. Plates held the remains of pork ribs and quails. Bottles lay empty on their trays.
Kuno sat in quiet dignity, eating sparingly from a selection of little bowls. Tonbo was definitely heading for more of the wild boar, and had already eaten most of the mushrooms.
Chiri and Sura both lay on the tatami mats, utterly prostrate. They were stuffed far beyond the bounds of all reason. Sura was still groping for cakes, but Chiri was looking rather ill. Bifuuko fanned Chiri’s face, while Daitanishi perched upon her belly and watched her with a thoughtful, quizzical look upon his face.
The rat turned towards Sura, and weakly tried to raise her head. There was a distinct possibility that she might be sick.
“Oooh… Oh holy Buddha I cannot fit another bite!”
Sura vaguely flailed one hand. She had to swallow hard before she could find strength to talk.
“No – don’t… don’t give up on yourself. Be strong! We can fit another course!”
Tonbo heaped his bowl with more rice, sauce, half a dozen ribs and a dumpling. He tasted the dumpling and gave a deep grunt of approval.
“Good.”
The mistress of the inn entered bearing a tray filled with little sweet peach puddings and fresh persimmons. Sura shot back up into seated position, duty bound to be ready for the next course. The mistress bowed, setting the tray before her guests.
Sura eagerly took charge of a little bowl of pudding. She tasted it, and rolled her eyes in bliss. She immediately wolfed down a little slice of persimmon. It had been very faintly dusted with spice.
“Ooh! These aren’t even in season!” Some of the little puddings were apricot, and some were peach. Sura took charge of one of each, eyes bright and tail wagging. “Thank you! Oh man this is good!”
The fox indulged herself. The inn mistress nodded a bow touched at being so appreciated. Kuno smiled to her, and bowed in return.
“Thank you, honoured hostess. You are clearly used to dealing with animal spirits.”
The woman gave a little nod, tinged with sad reminiscence.
“Yes, samurai. In my husband’s day, we had many animal spirits as guests. Wolves and bears from the northern islands, cat spirits, foxes…”
Kuno looked at her.
“But no longer?”
“No longer, samurai san.”
The inn mistress cut the conversation short by bowing and rising. She moved out into the hall, bowed again and closed the door behind her.
Tonbo watched the door. He slowly stroked his chin, pondering carefully…
“She is very reticent…” He narrowed his eyed. “Perhaps too reticent…”
Sura looked up from her pudding, pointing a spoon in warning.
“Uh! Holiday!”
Tonbo wrinkled his nose, but reluctantly let the matter fall.
A nice charcoal brazier kept the room warm, and it was wonderful not to be doing anything in particular. Sura gave a happy sigh: even Daitanishi seemed pleased with life. The fox patted at her belly and gave a great, contented sigh.
Outside the inn, the weather seemed cold but still. A distant wind moaned about the high mountain peak, but here in the village dell, all was quiet. Steam rose and floated off amongst the trees, and the snowfields glittered in the moonlight.
Finally, Chiri placed hands upon her stomach, prodding to see if she was about to burst.
“Ooh – I think I’m going to be sick!”
Sura stifled yawn. She fetched a bottle of plum wine and two cups, then scooped up Daitanishi and set him on her shoulder. The fox prodded at Chiri, trying to coax her onto her feet.
“Come on! Let’s go to the baths! We can sponge about by lamp light and get pleasantly ratted.”
The rat tried to wave Sura away. “No more food! No more drink!”
Sura blinked. “But what about our midnight snack? I ordered us a midnight snack! Honey cakes with apricots!”
Chiri immediately lifted her head.
“With the honey all crystallised?”
“Turning into crunchy sugar crystals – I swear!”
Chiri bit her lip and sat up. “Well – maybe just the midnight snack – after a bath.”
Sura and Chiri arose and headed towards their room, where robes and towels awaited them. Chiri turned to Kuno as she tied back her hair.
“Will you both be heading to the baths as well, Kuno san?”
Night time – the steam and snow in the moonlight. Lanterns glowing beside the waterfall. It sounded quite enchanting. Kuno nodded and arose.
“I shall follow you.”
Tonbo scowled. “Take your weapons. Have the elementals scout the area first.”
Sura stood in the door and glared at the man.
“Does the word ‘relaxation’ mean something radically different to you? I’m just asking…” The fox hoisted two bottles of wine by their cords and slung them from her spear. “There. Happy? We’re armed!” She took Chiri by the arm. “Come on Chiri! Let’s get tiddled and swap lewd stories in the nude!”
The rat positively blushed. “Sura!”
“Well we have to do something to make the guys peep! It took me all afternoon to loosen the third fence paling from the right! Come on!”
The two women fetched robes and towels, then made their way together out into the rock gardens behind the inn. Bifuuko and Daitanishi whirred ahead of them, Bifuuko emitting a gentle blue-white glow.
Outside, the moon shed a faint shimmer of light, struggling through ghost-grey clouds. The air was sharp and chill, filled with the splash and patter of the streams and waterfalls. Chiri carried a lantern – but the moon gave just enough light to show the way. The elementals buzzed about the pools, peeking into the shadows, but were clearly satisfied. The monkeys had retired to their various beds, and everything was quiet.
The mountain peak was apparently in the grips of icy winds. The distant mountaintop moaned, shedding snow into the sky. But the storm remained high overhead and
far away. The trees all about the village were silent, and the breeze was still. The only sign of the storm was a few soft, fat snowflakes that came settling gently down across the village rooves. The particles melted in the warmth of the springs, vanishing before they could touch the ground.
Thick clouds were gathering in the distance. Chiri looked at the deep, dramatic skies, and gave a sigh.
“I think I shall write some stories while we are here. This place seems almost magical.” She turned to gaze off towards the inn. “The passes must block with snow. Perhaps that is why the innkeeper was so surprised to see us?”
Sura turned around, looking delightedly up at the snow.
“I guess. Wow… These snowflakes are so beautiful.”
There was a slight note of wistfulness in Sura’s voice – a hint of old memories. Chiri hugged her robes about herself and stood with her friend, looking up into the falling snow.
“Is there much snow upon Kitsune Mountain?”
“Eh – some winters it can snow. But the mountains behind the actual official kitsune mountain – yeah, they sure get dusted. Some of the foxes love it.” Sura shook her head. “I have a kind-of cousin. He’s a white fox. Handsome as a god, and the guy damned well knows it. His sept pretty much run the main snowfields back there.” The fox gave a sigh of pure, fond reminiscence. “Yeah – I shaved his tail once, right before a party.”
Chiri looked at Sura, looking somewhat aghast. Sura gave an innocent wave of her hand.
“Hey, I had to! He was sleeping out where anyone could just find him!”
Chiri decided to let it slide. But she raised one quizzical brow in interest.
“He was a kind of cousin?”
The fox gave a shrug, keeping her eyes upon the snow.
“Yeah – well, I was adopted. Sort of taken under the wing of the clan mistress. Nice folks – a little stuffy.”
Kuno appeared at the head of the steps above. Sura stirred out of her reverie, hefted her wine bottles and jogged Chiri, jerking her thumb towards the baths.