Tengoku

by Rae D. Magdon

  Kaede laughed, and Imari's chest fluttered. "My parents always told me I was hopeless, at least when it came to social interaction. If it wasn't for them smoothing over most of my mistakes, I would have died in a duel long ago."

  Shock ran through Imari at the mention of Kaede’s parents, but she didn't let on. Apparently, a blade was the best way to earn Kaede's respect and trust. Instead of putting the casual conversation at risk by asking questions, she snorted. "You mean like you almost did at the southern gates when you first arrived?"

  Kaede gave a dismissive roll of her eyes as she pulled on the knot of the cord holding her sleeves up. "Someone as skilled with a katana as you should’ve known I would outmatch that other samurai as soon as we drew our blades. Admit it, my lady. You called the result of our fight from the sidelines before it even started, didn't you?"

  "I won't admit to anything.” Imari headed toward the edge of the garden, feeling strangely happy when Kaede followed close by her side, remaining a respectful pace or two behind. "And by the way, thank you for not holding back. Between being the daimyo's daughter and this—" She held up the stump of her left hand. "it's hard for me to find good partners to train with. Most people are reluctant to give me their all, even though I can take it."

  "That must be upsetting."

  "More like annoying." Imari sat down on a curved stone bench beneath the shade of the trees, motioning for Kaede to join her. Kaede appeared surprised and reluctant at first, but eventually sat beside her. "Honestly, people's assumptions about what I can and can't do have caused me more problems than losing the hand itself."

  Kaede nodded. "What other people think of us is usually the problem, isn't it?" She paused, as if considering something deeply, and then continued. "Please forgive me if I'm wrong, my lady, but I don't think you invited me here to tell me about your hand, or because you wanted to run forms. You've been kind to me, but ever since I came into the city yesterday, you've looked at me like a woman who wants something. Am I wrong?"

  A heated flush spread across Imari's face. It wouldn't do to keep Kaede in the dark any longer, and she didn't want to come across as manipulative.

  "I want my hand back. I know I'm capable without it, but not everyone agrees. Some people don't think a broken girl can rule a province this large and prosperous, or do anything at all. I've spent the past several years trying to prove them wrong, but some of the older samurai and the daimyo of the neighboring provinces are stuck in their ways. If they think I'm weak, I won't be able to continue what my father started."

  "And what does your father think?" Kaede asked. "He isn't disappointed in you because you're missing a hand, is he?"

  Imari relaxed against the back of the bench. "Not at all. He's always been supportive of me." She turned away, gazing up at the patches of blue sky peeking through the ume branches. "Everyone who matters understands, but when you're next in line to be daimyo, you have to care what everyone thinks, even the idiots."

  "I see. So, what do you want from me?"

  Imari turned back at the offer, looking at Kaede in surprise. The samurai’s face was closed off once more, and her cheerful grin had vanished. She looked guarded, perhaps even mistrustful.

  "I must have said something wrong," Imari said, trying to salvage the moment. “I apologize if it felt like I was pressuring you, Iori-san. I do have a request to make of you, but it isn’t a demand. It’s simply an offer, and I won’t think any less of you if you say no, although I will be disappointed. You’re still welcome to all the hospitality I can offer while you choose to stay here.” She knew she had read the situation correctly when Kaede relaxed. Her smile didn’t return, but some of the worry lines in her forehead disappeared.

  “Thank you, Homura-dono. That’s kind. Please, tell me what you need.”

  "Have you heard the legend of Kurogane?"

  Kaede shook her head.

  "They say he was a mortal once, somewhere in the westlands, but his life changed when he happened upon the dragon yokai. He stole the source of their power, or it was given to him, and he used it to forge all kinds of magical objects. Some people think he's dead, or that he isn't real at all, but I've done my research, and I'm sure there's some truth to the tale. He made the enchanted black spears that Empress Tomoyo's imperial guards carry, and he’s credited with forging the magical iron soldiers that guard Tsun'i's borders with Xiangsai in the south."

  "That does sound familiar," Kaede said with a nod. "So, you want this mystical blacksmith to make some kind of new hand for you? If he's real?"

  "I know he's real. I've spent the past three years in my father's library, using every spare minute I could to search for information. When I ran out of scrolls and maps, I bought more." She sighed, remembering Kenta's earlier complaint. "I've gotten quite the reputation as a bookworm."

  "And did it pay off? Did you figure out where this mysterious, magic-hand-making blacksmith lives?"

  Imari shrugged. "That depends. I have a strong suspicion that he lives near Mount Aka. The Tsun’i name for it is Hongshan, and even though the River Go runs right by it, no humans have settled there in over a century. Pretty suspicious, if you ask me, and that's not even considering the reports of dragons flying overhead."

  Kaede's eyebrows arched. "And you found all this out by spending some time in the library?"

  "It's a nice library," Imari said, smiling wistfully. The smell of wood and silk-bound books was almost as nice as the flowering trees of the garden. "The continent might be big, but there are only so many mystical, isolated dragon mountains to choose from."

  "So, you want to go all the way around the Jade Sea and through the Kingdom of Tsun'i in search of a magical legendary blacksmith who stole power from dragon yokai?” Kaede’s tone wasn’t skeptical, but it was definitely surprised and, Imari hoped, intrigued. “And you think I can help you?"

  "Yes. I've seen the way you interact with Rin. You have a connection to the spirits, and that’s exactly what I need. What am I supposed to do if I meet a dragon yokai? Wave my katana at it?"

  "Personally, I'd suggest running, my lady," Kaede said with a smirk. "It's what I'd do."

  "Somehow, I doubt that." She studied Kaede's face, peering deeply into the samurai’s eyes even though she knew the over-attentiveness might be mistaken for rudeness. "Most people would run from a wolf yokai, too, but you befriended one. Most people would have called me crazy for even suggesting this coming from a stranger, but you haven't. When I mentioned dragon yokai, your first reaction was to make a joke about them. If anyone could guide me up a dragon mountain safely, it's you. You're the best prospect I've found in all the years I've been tossing this around in my head."

  "If I'm your best prospect, you must have slim pickings," Kaede muttered. She seemed to be considering something deeply, and at first, Imari was certain she would say no. But at last, Kaede nodded. "I'm in, my lady. Your quest sounds interesting, and…" She hesitated, as if she wasn't certain how much she wanted to share. Imari could see the uncertainty in her eyes before it solidified into a decision. "To be honest, there are some dangerous people who don't like me here. Mount Hongshan is far away and far away sounds like a good idea right now. You'd be doing me a favor, assuming I don't get eaten by a dragon."

  Imari's heart leapt with hope, but she managed to restrain herself to a smile. "Then it's a deal. You help me find Kurogane, and I'll make sure whoever doesn't like you can't find you." Although who wouldn't like you, I have no idea.

  Chapter Five

  "ARE YOU SURE YOU want to do this, Hayate?"

  Hayate didn't look at the large black wolf crouched beside him. He kept his attention trained forward on the cheerfully glowing fire of the caravan ahead. It had stopped in the middle of a grassy clearing, and several people milled about, preparing dinner and setting up camp for the night. Men, women, and children sat clustered together, talking and laughing as the sun set.

  "No harm needs to come to them," Hayate whispered back, refusing to meet Kaze's
gaze. He could feel the guilty scorch of his friend's disapproval. "If they tell me what I need to know."

  "And what if they can't help you? They're simple travelers. They might not have seen Kaede at all."

  Hayate frowned. It was possible these people hadn't seen Kaede, but it was also possible they had—and he needed leads if he was going to find her. His cousin had run with hardly any supplies. She must have stopped to barter for food and shelter somewhere along the way. Even she couldn't have survived out on the plains for a month just by foraging.

  "Let's hope they have." Hayate rose from his hiding place, bringing his hand to the hilt of his katana.

  Kaze remained behind in the shadows, but Hayate didn't bother trying to convince him. He knew his friend was conflicted, but they had no choice. Setsuna's experiments had to continue for the benefit of the Empire and she needed Kaede. He steeled himself, straightening his shoulders. I can't let her down.

  The moment Hayate stepped into the small camp, all heads turned. Some smiled and waved, mouths opening to call friendly greetings, but as soon as they saw his hand hovering near his sword, an eerie silence swept over the crowd. Mothers pulled their children closer. Even the fire seemed to grow dimmer. Twenty people camped here in total, all different ages, but as Hayate scanned the caravan for any possible threats, he found none. The young, able-bodied adults in the group didn't seem to be armed, and most were looking at him with wide eyes.

  "My apologies for interrupting your dinner," he said, a stiff formality rather than a reassurance. It only seemed to make the small crowd uneasy. "I won't intrude long, but I'm looking for someone. Have any of you seen a young woman, dark skin, red hair, a little over twenty? She dresses as a commoner but carries daishō, and she is accompanied by a great white wolf."

  He knew he had stumbled upon a lead. Several of the frightened people shared glances. "So, you have seen her," he said, focusing on the nearest young man who sat by the fire. When the stranger didn't answer, Hayate reached down, gripping his kimono and hauling him upright. "Tell me where she went. Now."

  "I—I haven't seen her," the man stammered. His lips trembled, and his eyes darted everywhere, obvious signs of a lie. "No one like that has come across our camp."

  "No one?" Hayate drew his sword with a soft hiss, aiming the sharpened point at the man's neck. "Are you sure?"

  Someone else shouted from further back. "She was headed to Mirai!"

  Hayate glanced over the man's shoulder. It was a young woman, huddled by the fire with a worn shawl around her shoulders and a child in her lap. Hayate lowered his sword, although he didn't place it back at his hip. Instead, he stared at the woman. "And how do you know this?"

  "She asked for directions," the woman said. "She was headed southwest toward the city when she left. It's where most wanderers end up. Please."

  Hayate released the man's shirt, pushing him back toward the fire. "There." He put away his sword, and the whole camp breathed a sigh of relief. "That wasn't so hard, was it? Thank you for your assistance." He disappeared back into the darkness, not stealing a single backward glance.

  Once he was a fair distance away, the rice stalks around him began to rustle and sway. Hayate stopped, waiting patiently until Kaze appeared from the shadows. "We need to work on your people skills. Was that really necessary? There were children in that camp."

  "I didn't harm any of them," Hayate said, continuing onward into the darkness. He could see the road in the distance, and he headed toward it, following its curve.

  "It doesn't matter. Threatening innocent people is against the way of the warrior. I thought you were more honorable than that."

  Hayate clenched his teeth, jaw hardening. "I can regain my honor by bringing back what was lost. Setsuna is counting on me to find Kaede. It's the right thing to do."

  "And that excuses your methods?" Kaze's muzzle nudged his shoulder, and Hayate turned to look at him at last, struggling not to react to the disappointment he saw in his companion’s eyes. "I stay with you because you're my friend, Hayate, and it's as a friend that I say this—you are losing your way."

  Though Hayate managed to keep his face smooth, he felt a nagging sense of uncertainty in his chest. It came upon him whenever Kaze spoke, and it was growing increasingly difficult to ignore. "I'll try not to frighten or disturb any of the people in Mirai," he promised, trying to ease his own guilt as well as Kaze's fears. "If Kaede comes quietly, there's no reason anyone else needs to get hurt."

  ***

  "I told her I'd help her find the magical blacksmith so he can make her a new hand." Kaede looked up from the washbasin in her room as she finished her story, unsurprised to see doubt on Rin’s face. Her blue eyes narrowed, and her tail stood high, bristling behind her like a spiky branch.

  "I know you admire our host, Kaede, but signing up for a quest? You barely know this woman. You've only been in Mirai for a few days, and this kind of decision—"

  "It's a smart decision," Kaede interrupted. In truth, she was half-certain she was crazy for saying yes, but since she had already given Imari her answer, she didn’t want Rin to bring her own doubts back to the surface. "Homura-dono intends to travel all the way to Tsun'i, across the Jade Sea. That's about as far from home and Setsuna as I can get. We'll be safe there."

  She finished swiping the damp cloth over her arms before moving down to her stomach, cleaning away the light coat of sweat that had formed during her kata. She didn't feel comfortable enough in Mirai yet to visit the communal bathhouse. At home, she had been allowed to bathe with the other women after choosing to live as one herself, but in a strange city, she feared the sight of her naked body might draw unwanted and unfriendly attention. For now, she would have to make do in private.

  "And what of your family?" Rin lowered her haunches to the ground and sat, but from the stiffness of her spine, she wasn't pleased. "What about their safety? They're your pack, Kaede. You can’t simply abandon them."

  Kaede frowned. Rin knew exactly how to tap into her guilt. She turned away again, refusing to meet Rin's eyes as she dipped the cloth back into the basin. "They'll be safer without me. Besides, you left your family."

  "To make sure you stayed safe, not so that you could get wrapped up in some foolish nonsense over a pretty girl."

  "She's not pretty," Kaede insisted, bending over to scrub angrily at her legs. It was only a few strokes in that she realized what she had said. "I mean, of course she's pretty. She's gorgeous, a vision of loveliness,” she said, with just a hint of over-exaggeration to show she was joking. “But that's not why I'm going. I'm doing it for my own reasons."

  "Of course, you are." Rin huffed loudly through her nose.

  Instead of arguing further, she continued her crude bath, finally moving between her legs. A few years ago, she might have hesitated, but this time, she simply went about the regular business of cleaning herself. Her mind drifted back through time, recalling the moonlit night when Haruna had urged her to bathe in the forest pool. She had been so young then, barely twelve, disgusted with the changes her body was going through. She had pleaded with the yokai for help, and to her immense gratitude, they answered. The yokai’s magic had given her some of what she wanted—smoother, hairless skin on her face and a slightly higher voice, a hint of hips and small but visible breasts—but it hadn't been able to change everything.

  She had been disappointed at first, but over the years, she had learned to deal with it. This was her body, and while it wasn't everything she had hoped for back then, she had become accustomed to it. Fond of it, even. At least now, living in it felt like home.

  "You’re free to go back home if you want," she said, finishing her wash and setting the cloth aside, "but I don't want to be responsible for anyone else getting hurt." She hung her head, closing her eyes and drawing in a deep breath as the cool air dried the water droplets on her skin. "Setsuna isn't going to use me again. I won't let her."

  Rather than chide her, Rin padded over to the table and nuzzled gently a
t her shoulder. "I know she hurt you, Kaede, but what happened wasn't your fault. Those deaths are hers to carry, not yours."

  Kaede opened her eyes, placing an affectionate hand on top of Rin's head, but she turned toward the mirror hanging on the nearby wall. Her eyes darted to the scars along her cheek, and she winced with a pain that was more emotional than physical. The wounds of guilt ran deeper than the scars.

  "It's not that I don't want to go back," she murmured. "I miss home. I just…I can’t be Aozora Kaede right now. I can’t be the daimyo’s daughter who ran away, the shogun’s niece who got a band of good samurai killed because I couldn’t…”

  Rin nudged her again and spoke slowly, softly. "Perhaps, a trip to Tsun'i might not be such a bad idea? As long as you don't intend to stay there forever."

  Kaede sighed. She had no idea what she intended to do, but at least if she was helping Imari, her life would have some sense of purpose. I guess you can only run away from something for so long before you start wanting to run toward something instead. Imari's smiling face and dark eyes flashed to the front of her mind again, and she smiled.

  "Don't worry, Rin. Everything's going to be okay. You'll be with me, right?"

  Rin's nose pressed into the top of her arm, snuffling gently. "Of course, Kaede. Always. But what about this Imari? How much have you told her about your past?"

  Kaede resisted the temptation to flinch. With all that had happened over the past few days, she hadn’t had much chance to feel guilty, but in the safety of her room, a huge wave of it came crashing down over her. Imari had been nothing but kind to her since her arrival in Mirai—and not just that, but she had revealed something deeply personal to Kaede in the garden. It felt wrong to keep her true identity from her host, even if it was for self-preservation.

  “Barely anything,” Kaede said. “It’s safer for her if she doesn’t know.”

  “But you feel guilty nonetheless. Don’t, Kaede. You’ve only known this woman a few days. You don’t owe her your life’s story.”