“We don’t mean you any harm,” the strange priest said, holding his hands up in a surrender pose.
“We sensed you could need some help.” He tilted his head to the side. “Have we met before?”
“You’re that woman from the inn. You were there with Shin,” the kitsune said in a cheery voice. Her smile spread across her entire face and her eyes twinkled.
A blush burned across Akane’s face. She felt compelled to clarify. “It wasn’t anything like you’re thinking.”
“What did you think I was thinking?” The kitsune’s brows rose toward her hairline.
Akane cleared her throat. Now wasn’t the time for this. Shin was still in danger.
“Thank you for saving me, but now I have to go.” Akane turned to brush past him.
“Please, before you go, perhaps you could pass a message to Shin for me.”
Akane’s footsteps faltered. What was between this woman and Shin, and why did he seem so determined to get away from her? She supposed it wasn’t really her business. But if it hadn’t been for them, she wouldn’t have escaped Akio’s men. She couldn’t take on Akio’s men alone. She turned back to the kitsune.
“Why don’t you tell him yourself? Akio’s men have him and I was on my way to rescue him.”
They jumped to action without question. Akane led them back to the gorge where Shin was in the middle of fighting the huntsman. The two opponents were circling one another. Shin was outmatched and struggled to keep up with the more powerful yokai. He stumbled backward, falling onto his back and pinned beneath the huntsman’s foot. He raised his ax.
Without thinking, Akane took the bow and arrow from the priest. She pointed it at the huntsman. It zoomed from her fingertips, burning like a green shooting star. It struck true and hit the huntsman’s wrist.
The huntsman dropped the ax, letting it fall, inches from Shin. The huntsman looked up toward Akane on the ridge.
Her hands were burned from touching the items of a priest, which were imbued with spiritual power. She dropped them on the ground and went to pick up a nearby rock. She threw it toward a group of yokai on the ground.
“Get them,” the huntsman commanded, his arm sweeping in their direction.
The kitsune transformed, leaping down from the ledge and into the fray. She cut a path through the surging group of yokai, knocking them aside like child’s toys. The priest resumed shooting holy arrows in rapid succession down upon the yokai that didn’t fall beneath the force of the kitsune.
Akane followed the kitsune down, fighting her way through the crowd. Shin too was making his way through the group. He and the huntsman were separated by the crowd, but he was wading closer to Shin.
Shin caught up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. The sudden familiar touch stunned her.
“Are you crazy? I was giving you a chance to escape.”
“And leave you to be dragged back to your master?” Her face was flushed as she shouted.
His eyes were wide and his expression difficult to read. But the moment was cut short when the huntsman cut through the crowd to reach them. Shin pushed her behind him, preparing to defend her against the huntsman’s swinging ax. But before he could strike them, the kitsune leaped up from behind them and knocked the huntsman down on the ground.
“Go,” she growled.
Shin stared at her in a daze. “I can’t leave you to fight alone.”
“Hikaru is covering for me, get out of here,” she growled.
The huntsman knocked her back and lurched toward Shin and Akane, only to be blocked once more by the kitsune. Flames rose up along her feet, and Akane could feel the heat of it upon her face.
Up on the ridge, the priest fired spiritually imbued arrows to distract and slow the huntsman.
Shin lingered a moment, and he looked like he was going to stay behind. Akane grabbed his hand and pulled him away. This was their chance to escape. He resisted her momentarily, before following after as they fought their way out of the gorge. Once they reached the edge, they scrambled over the side and back to the safety of the ledge.
“Watch Akane, I’m going back for Rin,” Shin said to the priest, as soon as they reached the top.
“No need, she’s on her way.” The priest nodded. Rin was bounding over the group, making her way back to them.
“You’ll need to get clear. I’m going to purify them,” the priest said.
Akane didn’t need to be told twice and bolted for the cover of the forest, Shin hot on her trail. She heard his song rising on the ridge. It had the same power as multiple priestesses. Who was this man who had such power?
She didn’t have time to question it. They ran as far and as fast as they could until Shin put his hand on her shoulder, slowing her to a stop. He tilted his head to one side, listening to the forest around them.
“I think we’re safe.”
She hadn’t realized it before now, but they were still holding hands. She ripped her hand free of his and paced away from him by a few steps.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Save your life? You have a weird way of showing your gratitude,” he said smugly.
She spun to face him. “You were going to sacrifice yourself to that monster for me. What’s the use of that?”
He stared at her, mouth hanging open. If she was being honest, before she’d been touched. But when he’d almost turned back for the kitsune, she realized it had to be something he did for everyone. He was just a reckless fool. There was no reason to feel special or significant.
“Were you worried about me?” He grinned as he leaned closer to her.
She harrumphed and turned her back on him. “I need you to help me find Tomoe, that’s all.”
He ran around to the front, forcing her to face him. “You were worried about me,” he teased.
She pressed her lips together to keep herself from laughing. It was a relief. If that priest and kitsune hadn’t found her when they did, she wasn’t sure she could have saved Shin on her own.
“There you are,” the kitsune said as she approached them.
Shin’s smile dropped, and his muscles clenched. The sudden change in demeanor was like seeing the shutters close on his expression.
“What are you doing here, Rin?” he asked, his voice bordering on a growl.
The kitsune’s steps didn’t falter. “It was just a coincidence. I ran into your friend.”
“Well, thanks, we should be going.”
“Wait, can’t we talk? Isn’t that the least you could do after I saved your life?”
“Don’t you think we’re even?” he said coolly with his back to her.
“I know where you can find the girl you’re looking for.”
Akane turned to look at the kitsune, but she only had eyes on Shin, who stubbornly wouldn’t look at her.
Shin was going to deny her help, but Akane spoke up before he could. “Where is she?”
Shin glared at her before marching off in the woods.
“I’ll tell you if he’ll talk to me.” The Kitsune nodded toward Shin.
16
Was Rin trying to torture him? Or was this a twisted game to her? Shin stalked in the forest while Rin and Akane talked. Their voices floated toward him, their gentle murmurs caressed his ears. Hikaru had not joined them, but he could feel his spiritual pressure nearby. The intense burst of holy energy meant he couldn’t come near them until he’d shed the holy energy that would weaken the yokai.
Shin paced in the forest. He wanted to run, to escape Rin’s casual glances in his direction. To get away from the talk he knew she wanted to have. How she had learned that he was searching for the girl was beyond him. But he couldn’t face her, not after she’d come to his rescue. Despite pushing her away for centuries, she kept coming back to him.
Akane detached herself from Rin and came toward him. He ceased his pacing, but his foot continued to tap on the ground.
“Ready to go?” he asked gruffly.
“
She won’t give me all the details, not until you talk to her,” she said flatly. Her brows were pinched together in a scowl.
Akane’s lips were pressed in a firm line, arms crossed over her chest. Hair fell loose from her braid and across her face. If he refused to talk, then Akane would be furious. It was just like Rin, to try and corner him this way. What would be worse, facing Akane’s anger and distrust or looking into the face of Rin?
“You’re not seriously considering turning it down? This is the exact lead we need.”
Shin sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “It’s complicated is all.”
“I don’t see how it’s that complicated. You want your freedom, don’t you?”
He wanted to glare at her or argue her point. But she was right. It was his pride that held him back. He was nothing but a shadow of the man he’d been. A dog on a leash, almost defeated once again by Akio’s machinations if Rin hadn’t come to his rescue. It rubbed him the wrong way. Akane’s glare could set him ablaze. He supposed this time it was better to cede to reason rather than his bruised ego.
He heaved a heavy sigh. “Alright.”
His feet were heavy as he approached Rin. He couldn’t figure out what to do with his hands, fold them in front of himself or behind his back. He settled on leaving them resting at his side.
“Where is she?” he asked, then cleared his throat and studied the forest around them, pretending the bark of a nearby tree was of intense interest. As it was, he could feel her eyes boring a hole into the side of his head. He knew if he looked her in the eye, she’d beg him with those soulful eyes to return to the way things were. But they couldn’t go back. Not now, perhaps not ever.
“Do you think it’s going to be that easy, after the way you left me at the inn?” Her laughter was lilting. This was all a joke to her.
Shin sighed. “What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t want you to say anything. I just want my friend back.” Rin reached out to touch him, but he stepped out of her grasp.
The word friend rippled through him, the old wound opened to bleed again. That was the problem, he would never be anything but a friend to her. He’d loved her almost his entire life, but she’d never feel the same way. And maybe that’s part of the reason he’d stayed away - because he couldn’t face that fact. It hurt too much. He’d chosen to be Akio’s slave rather than watch her give her heart to another.
“We can’t change the past,” he said.
Akane was standing nearby, her back to them, trying to avoid looking like she was listening in. But she glanced over her shoulder and their eyes met. She turned her head away quickly. Shin couldn’t help the smile that came to his lips.
“I know I can’t erase the last five hundred years. Or what you’ve been through. But we can rewrite the future. The dragon is rebuilding his kingdom. You could—”
“Don’t—” He held up his hand.
Rin bit her bottom lip, but he knew she wanted to say more. But even once he was free, he couldn’t go back to the dragon. He’d betrayed his old friend, and the dragon didn’t forgive so easily. Like he said, there was no returning to the past.
Rin sighed, seeing that she couldn’t get through his barrier. “I asked around at the inn. There’s a temple in the mountains to the south that Akio has been bringing priestesses to. If the girl is anywhere, it’s there.”
“Thanks.” He turned to walk away.
“Shin, think about the offer at least.”
He didn’t acknowledge her words as he walked toward Akane. She looked at him with a hopeful expression.
“Did you find out anything?” she asked.
He was distracted by Rin staring at his back, and he put his arm around Akane’s shoulder. She stiffened beneath his touch and tried to pull away, but he held on tight to her.
“Just play along, please.”
She looked up at him and maybe there was something pitiful in his expression and that’s why she agreed. But feeling the warmth of her body, and her hand pressed against his side brought him comfort.
The temple was nestled at the base of a mountain. It was a small compound lined on all sides. The sloped roofs were hung with ofuda that danced listlessly in the wind. Shin watched it from a distance. It seemed strange that Akio had taken over a temple. There was a strange tint to the place, like a dark shadow hanging over it, even on a bright sunny day. There was an aura that wasn’t quite yokai and it wasn’t quite human either. He couldn’t put his finger on it. It held him back from rushing in.
Shin climbed down from the perch from which he’d been surveying the camp. He and Akane had separated to scout out the area. Shin returned to their designated meeting space, but Akane hadn’t returned yet. Even from this distance, he was left with an uneasy feeling twisting in his gut. He didn’t like being separated from Akane. Though he’d seen no guards, he got the feeling he was being watched from a distance. He should go and look for her.
He’d only taken a few steps when she appeared around a corner. Shin let go a breath he’d been holding. It struck him, how in such a short time he had become very concerned about her wellbeing. It had taken some convincing to get him to part ways with her, even for a little while. Akio was still out there, he knew, and he wouldn’t rest until he had them both.
Akane’s brows were furrowed as she strode toward him. Her eyes unseeing. It wasn’t like her to be so oblivious to her surroundings.
“Good news?” he asked.
She lifted her head, as if noticing him for the first time. The frown hadn’t left her face. “This place has a strange feel to it. It feels tainted.”
“I felt that too. It’s strange, but I think we can manage,” he said with more confidence than he felt. He wasn’t sure what Akio was doing with these priestesses, but it wasn’t good. All that mattered now though was getting Tomoe and gaining his freedom.
Akane worried at her bottom lip, her gaze on the horizon. “Are you sure? I keep wondering if we shouldn’t have asked that kitsune and priest for help.”
“No.” His voice came out much harsher than he intended.
Akane leveled him with a long stare for a moment and he thought she’d argue. Then she shrugged. “I trust your judgment.”
He should have been flattered by the sentiment, but a coil of uncertainty squeezed at his innards. He never used to be the lone wolf. In a past life he’d always worked with others. But centuries as Akio’s dog had taught him to rely on himself.
The orange light of a dying day fell behind the mountaintop.
“Let’s go then,” Shin said with grim determination. Once they had the girl he would be free. And then his hurt pride wouldn’t matter.
They headed down the mountain, creeping from behind trees and rocks, getting closer to the temple, keeping an eye out for guards.
The temple was like any other. It contained a main shrine building that should have hosted the kami at its center. Dormitories and storage facilities flanked it on both sides. A low wall surrounded it on all sides. They jumped over it. Once inside, everything was silent. He would have thought the place abandoned if not for the competing scent of priestess and yokai. But mixed among them he caught Tomoe’s scent.
“She’s here.” He signaled to Akane. They snuck between buildings just as a patrol of boar yokai passed by.
They pressed their bodies against the wall, waiting for them to pass before sliding down another passageway toward the dormitory building. Judging from the scent, there were several priestesses inside. This must be the place where they were bringing them all.
The door was locked. Shin tried shaking it and a lock rattled. He froze, waiting to see if it had alerted the guards, but no one came running to stop them.
“We’ll have to find another way in.” He scanned their surroundings. A few feet away a high window had been left open. “There.”
“Give me a leg up?” she asked.
He knelt down and cupped his hands together for her to step in. He hoisted her up,
and Akane slithered through the window.
Just as she slipped inside, a shadow moved nearby. Shin pressed his body against the wall. He watched as it moved closer, hoping it would disappear, but it wasn’t slowing down. Instead he rushed toward them, hoping to catch them by surprise. But as he turned the corner, he found not a patrolling guard, but the huntsman.
Shin froze. The huntsman did not seem surprised to see him there and instead looked him up and down, leveling him with his gaze.
The huntsman rushed toward him. Shin dodged and rolled, only to have the huntsman’s ax graze his side. Shin growled and lunged for him. The huntsman came for him again, and Shin clashed against him, clamping down powerful jaws onto the huntsman’s leg. The huntsman shook him off, tossing him across the courtyard. He was outmatched. There was no beating the huntsman, but if he created enough distraction, perhaps Akane and Tomoe could get away.
Shin rose up on shaking feet as the huntsman paced closer to him. But before he could knock Shin down completely, he was thrown backward by a body colliding with him.
Shin shook himself and looked up to see Akane standing there half transformed.
“Tomoe isn’t here. It was a trap.”
The huntsman tossed Akane aside like she was made of nothing but paper. She slammed into a nearby wall where she crumbled. Shin growled and turned on the huntsman ready to tear his throat out if he must. But the huntsman caught him by the throat and dangled Shin in the air by his collar.
“You cannot disobey Akio. Bring the dragon to him.”
The order sparked against the head priestess’ bindings on his collar and Shin felt the order reverberate through him, as if it had been issued by Akio himself. It burned up inside him, cowing him back into that sniveling creature who could never disobey Akio. A thin layer of paper was all that remained of the witch’s bindings. It was over. Akio had won.
The huntsman dropped him and Shin fell to the ground on all fours. He looked up to see Akane in wolf form standing with her back arched, her eyes glowing red. She lunged for the huntsman, tearing at his throat. He stumbled backward, unable to match the sheer ferocious power of her inner wolf.
Okami: A Little Red Riding Hood Retelling Page 12