I frown and finish the act of reaching my hands into the water. I splash my face and then rub it vigorously, hoping the reflection I saw will wash off.
It doesn’t.
I finish, and Tanuki takes the bowl away.
“We Toho owe you a great debt, Momotaro-sai. As does your world and countless others beyond. Ask of us whatever you will. If it is in our power to grant it, we will do so.
“Tell us, what is it you desire most?”
“I—”
I look at each of their faces in turn, finishing with Kitsune’s. I can still see the guilt of her sister’s death in her eyes, weighing down her soul.
She has suffered enough.
We all have.
“I want to leave,” I say.
The four of them bow.
“But, before I do, there’s one last duty I must perform as the heir of Kintaro.
“Not as warrior, but as healer.”
I hold Ishiro’s gaze, then Tanuki’s, an unspoken understanding passing between the three of us.
The two of them nod and step aside.
“You are truly Kintaro’s heir and a man grown, Momotaro-sage.” Tanuki says.
I step forward and face Kitsune. She greets me with a forced smile. I take her by the shoulders and she gasps in surprise.
“Your sister’s death wasn’t your fault,” I say, my voice gentle but firm.
“Stop being silly, Raymond-sai.” She makes a half-hearted attempt to shake me off.
I hold on tight.
“Your sister’s death wasn’t your fault.” I say again.
“Stop it, Raymond-sai!” There’s venom in her voice now. She struggles hard, trying to get away.
I hug her to me.
“Your sister’s death wasn’t your fault.”
I feel her begin to tremble in my grasp. Volcanoes of emotion erupt inside her until at last they burst forth in shower of tears and wailing.
I stroke her hair and whisper into her ear.
“Your sister’s death wasn’t your fault.”
Kitsune throws back her head and bawls.
“It was not my fault!” she cries, years of shame and depression burning away from her heart. “Oh, Ramu! It was not my fault!”
I pull Kitsune even tighter and she sobs into my shoulder.
“You did not have to come up here with me,” I say. “It’s your birthday, for Pete’s sake!”
Kitsune and I walk arm-in-arm up the side of the volcano, her ceremonial crown of birthday flowers still in her hair. They are the last blossoms summer has to offer. There’s a cool snap in the air and the leaves on several of the trees along our trek have already changed from lush green into shades of red, orange, and gold.
Autumn is coming to DragonIsland.
“I would not have had it any other way,” she says.
“Your father’ll be worried,” I say.
“My father will be fine,” she replies. “Anyway, he is just thankful you are leaving Kusanagi with Ishiro to help with the protection of the village. The mere sight of the sword should keep most predatory kaiju away.”
“Still, Kusanagi won’t be a substitute for real shobijin.”
Kitsune shrugs.
“True. But it will be some time before the twins are old enough to take up the mantle of shobijin—or for a new Gryphina egg to hatch, for that matter.”
I grin and wink at Kistune. “And of course the girls will need someone to train them. Someone they can look up to. Someone brave, and already wise in the ways of the shobijin.”
Kitsune blushes as she smiles warmly in return.
We reach the cave opening mid-way up the volcano’s side that leads into the deep labyrinth. The guardian Mikoshi sees us and bows. He steps back and disappears into the trees, leaving us alone.
Kitsune and I turn toward one another and clasp hands.
“Will you use the labyrinth to go home?” she asks.
“If I can. At least to start with. Mom would kill me if I didn’t use a place connecting all wheres and whens to return to her.”
“Will you not stay with your mother?” Kitsune asks.
I shrug. “...Maybe. But since I looked upon Ryuu’s true face, I...I’m different, Kitsune.” I pat the silver-white hair now growing from my head. “Both inside and out.
“I’m not the same little boy she watched board that plane at LAX.”
“She is your mother,” Kitsune says. “She will love you no matter who or what you are.”
“I know, I know.”
I sigh.
“But I’m just not sure California is where I belong anymore. At least, not in the long run.”
Kitsune moves her hands to my shoulders.
“You could stay with us—?”
“You know I can’t. What about—?”
Kitsune places her finger to my lips, shushing me. She leans forward and I share a real kiss with a girl for the first time in my life. It’s soft and gentle and heartbreaking.
I release Kitsune and turn away to walk into the cave without saying goodbye. When I look back, a fox with snow-colored fur stands in Kitsune’s place. Her crown of flowers rests at its feat.
The fox and I gaze at each other for an eternity-long moment. Then the down-furred creature scampers out of my sight forever.
I blow it a kiss though there’s no one left to see the gesture.
Then I turn away from Dragon Island, squaring my shoulders as I begin my long journey.
Dragon Island Page 21