by Dave Ferraro
The man’s eyes flicked up to him briefly, before returning to his sake. “What do you want?”
“You look like you could use some company,” Brian said after clearing his throat.
Yumiko pulled her sword from her side quickly and quietly, eyes darting around the room briefly to make sure that she hadn’t attracted any unwanted attention.
“Well, I don’t,” the man scoffed dismissively. “Leave me be.”
Brian looked up at Yumiko with a shrug, as if to say “Hey, I tried,” and his eyes widened as she slashed her sword across the man’s back, not quite grazing the man’s shirt. She saw the yokai disappear with a startled gasp, but she knew that it looked very different to anyone unable to see the little monster.
The man caught Brian’s startled look and glanced back at Yumiko, but she’d already sheathed her sword. She smiled sweetly at the man, then looked expectantly at Mr. Mathis. “Brian, leave the man alone. We have an appointment to keep. Or have you forgotten?”
Brian opened his mouth, then closed it. He seemed to take the strange interaction in stride, however, and walked out of the sake bar with her, just as the man they’d left behind stood up straight behind them, letting out a joyful exclamation.
Brian looked back and raised an eyebrow at Yumiko. “What was that about?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” she replied mysteriously, escorting him through the next door into the entrance of the love hotel. Yumiko wasn’t accustomed to walking into the lobby with a man in tow, and felt a little blush creep into her cheeks, but she set her jaw and walked up to the counter with determination. She would remain professional. Mr. Mathis had come to her to keep him safe this night, and every night of the full moon until they could find a solution to his…problem. He inevitably transformed into a fox every full moon, and it seemed that the creature’s mind dominated his own for the duration. He couldn’t remember a thing he did while in fox form, but would wake up naked in a trash bin or some other strange place. Who knew what the creature was capable of if left unchecked? It appeared to be a mere fox, but katsune were sly yokai, and it could be carrying out a very convincing lie.
The truth was, this was a rather interesting case. It wasn’t every day that they had a human walk through their doors who was attached to the fate of a yokai. In fact, they’d never come across it before at all. But Yumiko had seen the results of the curse firsthand last month when she’d gone to check in on him. A fox had taken his place then, and was sure to tonight as well.
Kitsune typically were known as shape-shifting yokai. They could assume human form, but for one flaw: They could not transform their tails. When Mr. Mathis has first relayed his story, that had been the first thing that Madame Mori had checked. It was especially strange since this case had more in common with lycanthropy than anything in Eastern lore. But Mori seemed convinced that his tale was true, and reminded Yumiko that yokai came in all shapes and sizes, and would continue to do so.
Yumiko recalled the moment Mr. Mathis had walked through their door two months ago, looking around in awe, as if he’d stumbled onto a Hollywood set. Drunks were known to stagger into the library from time to time, having gotten lost on their way to the lavatories. Yumiko assumed the same of him at first, as well. But she was immediately struck by his features. They were open and kind, handsome and a little edgy. She may have stared, because Mori had cleared her throat before approaching the stranger, arms crossed. “Is there something I can do for you, sir?” Mori had asked sharply.
Brian seemed able to focus with her words, and his eyes found Yumiko and intently drank her in, as hers had done to him a moment earlier. It was as if he’d never seen a woman before, and Yumiko looked away, her face on fire. It didn’t hurt that he was so attractive, and when he spoke, Yumiko’s heart began to race, as if trying to chase each syllable that dropped from his lips. “I’m sorry to intrude,” he said with a bow. “I am seeking the aid of the renowned Madame Mori.”
“And you have found her,” Mori sniffed, lifting her head. Her posture changed then, as she realized she was addressing a client. She gestured toward the back of the room. “Please, come have some tea.”
“Thank you,” Brian said, bowing again.
Mori sent Yumiko a look, which told her to fetch the tea, and Yumiko obliged, heart hammering as Brian’s face swam before her eyes the entire time. When she’d returned, Mori was making small talk, and took the tea kettle from Yumiko, who lowered herself to a cushion.
Mori poured the tea carefully, but even still, her hands shook slightly. She was getting older, and the teapot was heavy. If Yumiko intervened, however, she would get a severe look and retort: “I’m not feeble in mind or body yet, Miss Sato.”
Brian, however, smoothly took the teapot from her. “Allow me,” he said, easily taking it from her hand. “I’m afraid in America, I’m not accustomed to serving tea. Any practice I can get is much appreciated.”
Mori had looked pleased, and Yumiko had been impressed. As he’d poured Yumiko’s tea, he’d looked up into her eyes, yet still somehow filled her cup perfectly. If she didn’t know better, she would say that he’d been serving tea his whole life.
“Yumiko, this is Mr. Mathis,” Mori introduced them. “He has a job for us. One that could take us a while.” She turned to Brian. “Mr. Mathis, this is Yumiko Sato. She is my apprentice and will be on the case, as well.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Yumiko said, bowing low.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Brian assured her, watching her intently. “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.”
Yumiko blinked the memories away and threw a smile in Brian’s direction, who flashed dimples back at her in response. He made it difficult to concentrate. At least when he was a fox, she didn’t get all flustered. She could feel removed and assess him as a subject. The only thing she could assess when he was in human form was how handsome he was.
At the frosted glass window, Yumiko tapped on a bell, and she saw a figure step up to the desk, features blurred to make the guests more comfortable visiting such an establishment. She glanced up at the rates listed, for an hour’s “rest,” or two hours’ “rest.” Up to six hours. Of course, what they were doing was renting rooms out to couples wishing to have a place to have sex. It was an embarrassing business, for both the employees and the customers. Many love hotels took money through vending machines to make the transactions even more discreet, but Madame Mori was worried about vandalism, and liked to have somebody on site, especially since the rooms needed to be cleaned and…sanitized anyway.
“Hello,” Yumiko said. She glanced up at the pictures of the rooms, each themed, from a carnival, with a carousel circling the bed, to a cave-like room with simple furnishings. “The key to the dungeon, please.”
“I’m sorry, but that room’s been reserved for the night,” a voice replied. “May I suggest the nurse’s office or the rocket ship?”
Yumiko scowled. “No. I reserved that room. Now, the key, please.”
“Yumiko?”
Yumiko blinked, then stepped back as the door beside the desk opened.
Reina peeked out, then came out into the lobby. “I thought that was you!” she said. She looked Brian up and down, like he was a piece of meat. “You naughty girl. I didn’t realize you used the rooms. And the dungeon? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type.”
Yumiko was too stunned to speak, but thankfully, Brian stepped in.
He bowed to Reina. “I’m a client of Miss Sato’s,” he said.
“Oh,” Reina seemed to lose all interest at once. “So, she’s not restraining you to take advantage.”
Yumiko sighed heavily.
“I’m afraid not,” Brian replied. Yumiko glanced over at him, and he averted his eyes.
Reina noted the reaction, and smiled knowingly. “Well, let me get that key for you.”
“That would be a splendid idea.”
Five minutes later, Yumiko led Brian down to the only basement room. The door was solid oak, with
bars over a sliding metal plate that was firmly closed. She quickly unlocked the door and led him inside. Along one wall, whips, feathers, leather masks and other various torture/pleasure tools were displayed. There were restraints on the bed, several cages of various sizes, as well as slings. Yumiko tried not to think about what the objects in the room had been used for, and turned to Mr. Mathis. “The large cage again?”
Brian’s eyes darted toward a cage built into one side of the room, bars steel and sturdy. “I think that would be best.”
Yumiko nodded in agreement. She approached the cage and undid the latch. Madame Mori had done this for him the last time, but Yumiko had come in to check on him during the night, so she knew he’d been contained in this cage.
Turning to him, she saw that he’d taken off his shirt, and was unbuttoning his pants. She looked away, cheeks burning, and waited for him to slip on a robe. But she couldn’t deny that she’d seen a powerful chest. And nicely built arms. He looked like the action stars she’d seen in some American movies.
After he’d stepped into the cage, Yumiko locked it firmly behind him. She didn’t dare look at him again, even in his robe. “Do you require anything else, Mr. Mathis?”
“Brian,” he reminded her.
“Brian,” she agreed, with a small smile. She chanced a look upward and met his blue eyes.
He looked like he was about to say something, but decided against it. “No, thank you. You have been most kind, Miss Sato. Tell Madame Mori that I appreciate the hospitality and all that she’s doing for me.”
“You appreciate that she’s locking you away in a dungeon?” Yumiko teased.
Brian chuckled. “You know what I mean.”
Yumiko nodded, and turned to leave.
“Miss Sato.”
She turned back to him, and he hesitated. “Yes?”
“It’s nothing,” Brian said, then shrugged. “I just…thank you.”
She bowed her head and left him.
***
A seven-year-old Yumiko blinked into a dingy mirror in a shrine near her house, then she looked up at Ame-Onna uncertainly.
“The mirror,” Ame-Onna said gently, pointing back to the mirror.
Yumiko tilted her head as she stared back at her reflection. Then, hesitantly, she reached out a hand and grazed the surface with a fingertip.
Ame-Onna suddenly disappeared from the mirror, and there was a small flash of light. Or was it the scenery shifting? Yumiko turned to see snow all around her, and no shrine in sight, although the mirror was still there, hanging from a simple stand. She peered back at her reflection in wonder, and as she watched, her reflection broke out into a grin while she did not.
“Don’t be frightened,” Ame-Onna put gentle hands on Yumiko’s shoulders and faced the mirror.
Yumiko glanced up at Ame-Onna, just behind her, then back at the mirror. Yumiko’s reflection mimicked her movements again as they should. But she could see the shrine through the mirror. And where she was now…there was no shrine. The mirror stood alone. She was not where she’d been a moment ago.
“What is this place?” Yumiko asked, voice trembling.
“A magical place,” Ame-Onna replied, patted her back reassuringly.
Yumiko couldn’t tear her eyes away from the mirror that they’d just traveled through. It had been a normal-looking mirror, but they’d used it like a doorway. It wasn’t normal, and it frightened Yumiko, and left her feeling unsettled.
“I shouldn’t be here,” Yumiko stated.
“Oh, hush.” Ame-Onna gestured around them. “Look at all of this! Isn’t it wonderful?”
Yumiko looked around. It was a beautiful mountain pass. And even though everything was covered in snow, it wasn’t cold. The snow glistened under the bluest sky that Yumiko had ever seen, reflecting back pinks and oranges that seemed to wink at her. But it was strange. It was supposed to be summer, not winter. How could there be snow here? And where had the mountain come from? Yumiko felt disoriented, and had a million questions bubbling up within her, but had no idea where to begin, so she remained silent, taking it all in as Ame-Onna ushered her up the snowy path.
“Where are we going?” Yumiko wondered, tilting her head to the side. The whole world seemed silent, like it was holding its breath, making her voice sound all the louder. She frowned as she realized that there was no noise here. She couldn’t hear other people, or animals scavenging. She didn’t hear the wind howling or a breeze spray snow over the path. In fact, she didn’t feel any wind either. Everything was still and quiet. Static. If it weren’t for the breathtaking scenery, Yumiko would call this place…lifeless.
“I’m taking you to see a very important person here,” Ame-Onna told her. “He’s the king of this place, and he wishes to meet you.”
“Meet me?”
“Of course.”
“But why?” Yumiko asked, eyebrows drawing together. “I don’t know anyone.”
“Well, he knows you. You see, Master Kagami sees everything that takes place in the world, through mirrors. Every time you look into a mirror, or walk past one, even when you don’t notice one is there, he sees you.”
Yumiko felt a chill run up her spine at her words. “What does he want?”
“Why, to meet you, of course!” Ame-Onna said, eyes crinkling as she smiled. “Aren’t you excited to meet a king?”
Yumiko considered. “Okay, but then I really need to go home. Mommy will be mad.”
Ame-Onna nodded and walked her up the path until a castle came into view.
Yumiko stared at it, her eyes wide. It was a huge, sprawling building, snow white and five stories high, with several tiled roofs that illustrated its depth, and turrets at corners of an immense wall, that seemed to scrape the sky. It jutted out of the rocky mountain as if it had grown there, a wide drawbridge lowered to allow entrance into its vast walls. “Wow!”
“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” Ame-Onna asked, delighted by her reaction.
Yumiko didn’t reply, but allowed herself to be escorted within. She felt like she was floating, in a dream, as she walked through a tiny town, with cobblestone streets. There were stores and bars, and houses and inns. There were stables and beautiful fountains that sprayed water that didn’t make a single sound, when Yumiko would have expected a loud splashing noise. It was eerie, but the effect was kind of dazzling. But, she realized, she didn’t see any people. It was as if the castle existed only for them.
At the end of a large courtyard, Ame-Onna stopped and knelt before a building with a low roof. Stone komainu sat on either side of a raised floor, dog guardians, and Yumiko wondered if this was a shrine.
But then a paper door was swept aside and a man stepped out. He paused to regard them for a moment. “Welcome,” he said cheerfully.
Yumiko squinted at the face of the man, but it was hidden in the shadows of a jingasa of lacquered wickerwork. She caught glimpses of his features, but was never able to recall them following her encounter with him. He wore a black robe, a sword at his hip. And his voice was soothing, yet gravelly.
“Is she not beautiful, my lord?” Ame-Onna asked, bowing deeply. “Did I do well?”
The man stepped forward. “Yes, you have. And what is your name, girl? I am Kagami.”
“I’m Yumiko Sato, sir,” she replied. “Are you really a king?”
The man chuckled. “That, I am. A lonely king, looking for companionship.” He swept his arms out. “Do you like what you see, child? Is my kingdom not beautiful?”
Yumiko looked up and swiveled her head, taking in the beautiful sights, and nodded. “It’s beautiful,” she agreed. “But where is everybody?”
Ame-Onna sucked in a breath.
The man took another step forward. “I see anyone I wish to see, at nearly any time. Through my mirrors.” He gestured for her to approach, and she obliged, stepping up onto the raised floor. He turned his back on her and walked through the door he’d opened a moment earlier. She took this as a sign to follow him, and step
ped into a bright room. It was a long hallway that seemed to go on forever. And along the hall, mirrors hung of every shape and size. In those mirrors, Yumiko saw different people, in different places. They were doing all sorts of different things, and obviously came from different countries and continents.
“How do you see them?” Yumiko asked, in awe as she watched a little blonde-haired girl lick a chocolate ice cream cone at a birthday party, her party hat tipped precariously on her head.
“Magic,” came the reply.
“But they aren’t here.”
“No, they are not.”
“Don’t you want them to be?”
The room darkened and several creatures suddenly appeared, as if rising from out of the floor, which suddenly looked like water to Yumiko, even though she could stand on it as if it were solid ground. They were green creatures, slimy like salamanders, but with a shell over their bodies that they wore like armor. Their leathery faces were wide with jaws that formed powerful beaks, and beady black eyes that blinked calmly from beneath flat heads, slightly indented and wet with water.
“I have friends,” he said. “The kappa do everything I wish. But they aren’t lively. They don’t fill these corridors with the sounds of their voices. They just aren’t very good company.” He cocked his head. “I think you might be.”
Yumiko took a step backward, eyes glued to the kappa. They didn’t make any hostile movements toward her, but they were monstrous, and she didn’t like them. “I think I should go now. My mother will be very worried.”
“Your mother,” the man repeated, looking her over. Then he nodded. “Perhaps you are too young yet. But you already have a keen mind. I sense a fire within you, and I believe that your mind will only grow sharper. Yes, I believe that you are the companion that I seek to break me from the monotony of this place. I will return for you when you have matured. On your eighteenth birthday, I will take you to live with me in my world. Then, we can be together.”
Yumiko shook as she stumbled from the room, the man chuckling at her back. She tripped over Ame-Onna, who was still bowing.
“He will consume you, body and soul,” Ame-Onna said in a raspy voice, not looking up.