Kenta seemed excited by that prospect, but Takeshi remained uncertain. "Are you sure we can afford to stay that long, tono?" He fell back on formal titles, a furrow appearing in the middle of his forehead. "Your father will be missing you."
"Don't try that with me, Takeshi," Imari said. Kaede got the sense that on a worse morning, she would have been annoyed, but her new sword had put her in such good cheer that it outweighed all other feelings. "Father can handle things fine while I'm gone. He doesn't need me."
"It's not about needing you," Takeshi said, but Imari shook her head.
"Come on, Takeshi. There are dragons here. Don't you want to learn from them? How many humans get that opportunity?"
At last, Takeshi seemed to give in. He leaned back in his chair with an expression of defeat. "I suppose I can't talk you out of staying anyway, but I'm not flying on any more dragons unless I absolutely have to."
"Speak fo yosef," Kenta said around a mouthful of eggs over rice. He chewed sloppily then swallowed. "Flying on Suanni is the best thing we've done so far."
Kaede smiled. Flying on dragonback was one of the highlights of their adventure, but she could think of a few others that surpassed it. "Tell me more about this new sword," she said, ignoring her food in favor of watching Imari.
Immediately, Imari launched into an enthusiastic explanation. "It's folded differently than a katana, first of all…"
Though she tried valiantly to pay attention, Kaede found herself growing distracted by the movement of Imari's lips and the excited sparkle in her eyes. She was lively and cheerful, and beautiful because of it. I could listen to her talk about anything at all and never get bored, Kaede realized. She wasn't ready to name the warm feeling in her chest, but she was fairly certain she knew what it was.
After breakfast, Kaede spent the late morning and early afternoon watching Imari and Wen Ling perform kata together in a special room off the forge reserved for that purpose. The forms they passed through were different than the ones she knew, but there was still a familiar rhythm to them: steady breathing, slow heartbeats, and sweeping arcs. They wound from side to side in coiling lines, with Imari standing behind Wen Ling to better copy her movements.
The dance was hypnotic, although Kaede was sure her fascination had almost as much to do with the fluid way Imari moved as it did with the new kata. Kaede had never underestimated Imari's skill with a katana, but after only a few minutes of watching her wield the jian, she knew Wen Ling had been right. It was almost like watching a fresh bud open beneath the rays of the sun, Kaede mused—a beautiful blossoming of confidence.
By the time the exercise was over, Imari's face gleamed with sweat, but her smile was brighter still. She sheathed her blade and made her bows to Wen Ling, but as soon as that ritual was complete, she rushed over for an excited, bone-crushing hug. Kaede accepted it with a laugh, taking a moment to inhale the sweet scent trapped in Imari's hair. Somehow, it still smelled good despite her recent workout.
"You looked great out there," Kaede murmured beside Imari's cheek. She knew she should let go, since Wen Ling was watching, but she couldn't bring herself to unwind her arms from around Imari's waist.
Imari laughed softly. "Great, huh? Are you sure that's the word you want to use?"
Heat washed across Kaede's face, but she didn't argue the point. Imari had looked beautiful, stunning, incredible, but she didn't quite know how to say those things. Instead, she pressed a short kiss to Imari's lips. It was only a peck, but it still sent a jolt through her entire body. This was a special moment, and she wasn't going to let her shyness around public displays of affection or the newness of their relationship stop her from enjoying it.
Once their lips parted, they exchanged sheepish grins and left the embrace. Wen Ling pretended not to pay attention, but Kaede thought she caught a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of the smith's lips. "Am I to assume you saw a difference, Kaede? Imari wields the jian well for a beginner."
Kaede gave an enthusiastic nod. "Definitely. She certainly didn't look like a beginner to me."
"Flatterer," Imari snorted, but her smile widened.
"In a month or so, you'll be even better," Wen Ling said to Imari. "You already have the focus and discipline of a samurai, as well as a surprising amount of flexibility in your technique. I wonder, have you trained with other weapons besides the katana?"
"Yes, I have. I made an effort to learn a bit about every weapon in my father's armory back home. It didn't seem fair to ask the soldiers who followed me to do something I couldn't do."
"A wise attitude to have," Wen Ling said, "although I wonder if perhaps you went through so many weapons because you hadn't yet found the one that suited you best."
That put an even bigger smile on Imari's face. "You might be right about that. So, we've still got a few hours of daylight left. What do you want us to do? We could help you clean the forge like I promised—"
"Actually," said another voice, "I have a suggestion about that."
Kaede turned in surprise. A familiar figure was standing in the doorway to Wen Ling's dojo, dressed in brown robes with the hood pulled up. "Good afternoon, Bo…er, Suanni," she said, making a short bow. "Sorry. I'm still getting used to the new name." She squirmed a little at the self-given reminder that she too was living under a name that wasn’t her own.
"It's quite all right," Suanni said. "And I apologize if I startled you."
Wen Ling gave a soft sigh, one that spoke of long but mild suffering. "We need to tie a bell on the end of your tail or something. I never know when you'll show up."
Kaede sighed with relief. "Oh, good, so it's not me. I'm usually good at sensing when there are spirits around me, but I never picked up on Suanni."
"Dragons aren't like other yokai," Suanni explained. "Even those special humans with a connection to the spirits don't always feel our presence." They gave Kaede a long look. "Otherwise, you would probably be rather overwhelmed right now."
"What do you mean?" Kaede asked. "Are there many other dragons who live here?"
"Of course. The mountain isn't called Hongshan for nothing."
"Don't tell Kenta," Imari teased. "He'll want to ride them all."
Suanni chuckled. "I found his enthusiasm refreshing. As for the other dragons, I could show you, if you like. It isn't far."
Kaede looked over to Imari, but she already knew what she would find—an eager grin that spoke of the desire to go on another adventure.
"We'd love to," Imari answered for both of them.
"Should we go and get Kenta and Takeshi?" Kaede asked, although she wanted to keep Imari all to herself for a little longer. The Hibana brothers had seemed grateful for a day to rest, and Kenta especially had been more than content to hole up in the kitchens, close to the food.
"They can go another time," Imari said. "If I'm going to train with Wen Ling, we'll be here a while."
"I'll check on them," Wen Ling offered, perceptive as always. "A good host never neglects their guests." They all exchanged bows, and then Wen Ling exited the dojo, sharing a look with Suanni as she passed.
"Come with me," Suanni said once Wen Ling had left. "As I said, we won't be going far."
Kaede held Imari's hand as they made their way out of the dojo and back through the forge. The fire blazed hot but with less steam and smoke as Wen Ling wasn't working. "I don't know how she finds the time to make all those weapons and run this entire forge by herself," Imari said as they passed by. "It normally takes a team of smiths and apprentices months to make a single sword."
"Wen Ling certainly has a gift," Suanni said, "but more importantly, she has a sense of purpose. I assume she told you she wouldn't require payment for that new sword you carry, Imari?"
"Let me guess," Kaede said. "She never asks for payment, does she?"
Imari nodded. "She told me her greatest joy is matching swords with their perfect partners. She talked about it almost like a marriage bond."
Kaede's eyebrows arched. She snuc
k a glance at Imari, but then hurried to look away. Still, she was sure she had been caught, because Imari squeezed her fingers a little tighter.
The conversation drifted into silence as they walked back through the glowing tunnel. The distance seemed much shorter than the last time, and soon they were out on the mountainside again, soaking in the sun and fresh air. When there was enough room, Suanni took a step back. Their body began to shift and change, and once more, Kaede found herself witness to one of the most incredible sights she had ever seen.
She couldn't quite understand how Suanni's small human form expanded into the long, coiling body of a dragon. It rippled and stretched and swelled, but it was a process that defied description, and half of it was blurred by a glow that reminded Kaede of the tunnel. Soon, Suanni stood before them in all their glory. They looked even larger in the daylight, with their great lion's head stretching up toward the sky.
"Climb on my back," Suanni said in a great, booming voice. They sounded like thunder, with lightning flashing from their lilac eyes and the sharp points of their teeth. "We're going to the top of the mountain."
Imari let go of Kaede's hand, hurrying over to Suanni's tail and climbed up. Kaede wasn't far behind, and soon they were tucked into the large dip in front of Suanni's forelegs. The dragon reared up, and Kaede's stomach dropped as the dragon leapt from the mountainside, sailing up into the open air.
They circled higher and higher, until Kaede could see all across the countryside. She blinked back dry tears and ducked her head to shield her face from the wind, but she couldn't resist staring out over the forests and plains below. The afternoon sun allowed her to see far more than she had the previous evening, and she followed the river Go all the way to the horizon. That is, until Imari nudged her shoulder.
"Kaede! Kaede, look!"
Imari pointed excitedly in the other direction, up instead of down, and Kaede turned to follow the gesture. She inhaled sharply, staring in awe. Above them, a whole colony of dragons circled around the mountain's peak. They fluttered like bright banners in the sky, all different colors and sizes. It was as if someone had taken a magnificent kite festival and blown it up to incredible size.
"Sun and Moon," Kaede gasped. She started laughing with joy, and behind her, Imari did the same.
"I told you there were other dragons," Suanni said, sounding pleased with themself. "But this isn't the best part. Hold on tight."
They reached the top of the mountain, and Kaede realized with surprise it wasn't a mountain at all. The top dipped down into a large caldera, and steam wafted up from below. Grass and flowers covered the sloping edges, and there were several pools of water at the deepest part of the valley. Kaede could see more dragons gathered around them, swimming about and lounging on the banks. The placement of Wen Ling's forge suddenly made sense. Hongshan seemed to be a dormant volcano.
"It's absolutely beautiful."
Kaede felt Imari's chin tuck over her shoulder and warm arms wrap around her waist. "Yes, it is."
Even when Suanni touched down onto the soft grass that lined the sides of the crater, Imari didn’t let go right away. They remained on the dragon’s back a few moments longer, until Kaede whispered, “You know, I think I’m going to enjoy staying here a while.”
Imari gave her waist another squeeze. “Me too.”
Chapter Eighteen
IMARI SWIVELED HER FEET as Wen Ling's sword sliced toward her, dodging out of the way just in time. The air beside her cheek hissed, splitting beneath the blade, but she didn't retreat. She pushed instead, flattening her own sword and thrusting forward.
A clang rang out through the room as steel skidded against steel, and Imari accepted the jolt that ran up her arm. Wen Ling was fast and taking the offensive, but Imari was confident. She had trained hard over the past two months, and there was a warm hum in her muscles that only came over her during the best sparring matches. No longer did she need to hang back and wait for the perfect opening. With her jian, she could create her own.
Wen Ling disengaged, circling several steps back and flicking out with the pommel of her sword. Imari barely managed to avoid the golden tassels that lashed toward her eyes, but she didn't let it distract her. She kept her gaze locked on the edge of Wen Ling's sword, and when it swept in sideways, she was ready. She met the blow with a backhanded twirl, redirecting it off to the side.
"You fight well, Imari," Wen Ling panted as she recovered. "This is the best you've kept up with me so far."
Imari smirked. She brought her elbows back, letting her sword fall diagonally across her chest in a defensive posture and aiming the tip at Wen Ling's throat. "I'm not just fighting well. I’m going to win."
She lunged. Their blades clashed again. Sparks scattered as the sharpened edges scraped past each other. Through sheer force, she recovered first. She struck, and this time, her sword slipped past Wen Ling's guard.
The satisfaction she felt as the edge of her blade touched the padded front of Wen Ling's shirt made her heart swell too big for her chest. She waited, breathless and almost giddy, until Wen Ling lowered her sword and stepped back. She bowed, and Imari bowed in return, unable to hide her grin.
"Excellent," Wen Ling said as she rose. She smiled broadly, and Imari had never seen someone so pleased to have been defeated. "You've worked hard, and I'm proud to say it shows. You fight as if your sword is a part of you."
Imari gazed down at her blade, still in awe. "It feels like a part of me," she said, gazing into the eyes of the dragon pommel. As she lost herself in the green gems, a sense of peace and understanding came over her. A word whispered in her head, quiet, but strong and true. Characters painted themselves in her mind’s eye: inseparable, indistinguishable, whole. “I think I know your name now.”
“And what is your sword’s name, Imari?” Wen Ling asked, watching with interest.
“Wujian. Unbroken. With this sword, I’m finally whole again.” She looked up from the sword and smiled at Wen Ling. “All thanks to you, Sensei."
"Then my job is done." Wen Ling sheathed her own sword, tucking it back into her obi. "It has been my privilege to train you, Imari, and to present you with Wujian. You have been one of my finest students."
In an instant, Imari's good mood vanished. She felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her. This should have been her shining moment, but instead, she felt only a creeping sense of dread. "What do you mean? I can't leave yet."
"Because I still haven't given you a new hand?" Wen Ling asked. "Every day you ask, and every day my answer is the same. You don't need a new hand. You've learned well, and you're a better person than when you arrived here. That should be enough."
A lump rose in Imari's throat. She knew Wen Ling didn't owe her anything—the smith had already given her so much—but disappointment crawled through her like a poison. "Forgive me, Sensei," she said with frost in her voice, "but it's up to me to determine what is enough."
Wen Ling sighed. "You can't continue clinging to what was, Imari. As I've told you, you are a different person now than you used to be."
"And what about you?" Imari snapped before she could think better of it. "You got a whole new arm and leg from the dragons. You can't tell me you don't appreciate them."
"I'm grateful," Wen Ling said softly. "The dragons gave me a second chance, as well as a purpose. But what about your purpose, Imari? You have spent the past several years dreaming of a new hand. What would you do if I granted you one?"
"Go back home," Imari said at once. "I'd return to Mirai and take my father's place as daimyo once he was ready to retire. I want to take care of the city and its people like him."
"And do you need a new hand to do all those things?"
Imari pressed her lips together. The answer was “no,” but she didn't want to say the word aloud.
"Wouldn't it be more impressive, more meaningful, if you accomplished all those goals as you are?" Wen Ling approached her, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Like it or not, losing y
our hand has changed you. It has inconvenienced you, but it has also strengthened you. The loss of your hand is what drove you to travel all this way, to fight battles and ride dragons and train in the way of the jian. You can't tell me you aren't a better person for experiencing all those things."
"Yes, but—"
"How are you to know where else your life will lead? Don't try to change the course of the river. It flows where it does for a reason."
Imari's shoulders slumped in disappointment. They had been through this exact same argument every day since her arrival, but for the first time, she felt truly discouraged. There was a sense of finality in Wen Ling's voice—calm, but harder than the steel of the swords she forged and as unmovable as Hongshan itself.
"I don't know what to say." A hot coal of frustration burned in the middle of Imari’s chest, but mostly, she felt sad. It was like losing something important all over again—hope, in addition to her hand.
"You don't need to say anything." Wen Ling removed her hand, taking a step back. "I understand your disappointment. I know you don't understand yet why I won't grant your request, but give it time. You will."
"Then forgive me," Imari murmured, fighting back tears. "I think I want to be alone."
She gave a short bow, the most respectful farewell she could bring herself to make, and slipped out of the dojo. Tears leaked from her stinging eyes as soon as she stepped through the screen door. She felt like a child, crying as she felt her way down the hall, but she couldn't help it. She had been so sure Wen Ling would grow to understand her request and why it was important. Although she had held firm for two months, asking again and again, she couldn’t argue with Wen Ling's answer this time. There had been something different about it—a true no. The denial had cracked her heart straight down the middle.
"Kaede," Imari whispered, the name rising to her lips at once. Kaede would know what to say. What to do. Kaede would hold her until she got a grip on herself and wouldn't think of judging her for her feelings. Kaede was exactly who she needed right now, and so Imari went in search of her, heading toward the bedroom they had shared for the past two months. She only hoped she wouldn't run into Rin or the Hibana brothers on the way.
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