Okami: A Little Red Riding Hood Retelling

by Nicolette Andrews

  As he made his way through the crowd, he saw the dragon and the human priestess in another argument from across the room. Shin shook his head. Their bickering was legendary, apparently. It seemed strange the dragon would be attracted to a woman like that. And yet, Shin had seen the way he’d looked at her when she wasn’t looking, with adoration in his gaze. In all their years of friendship, he’d never seen the dragon look at someone that way.

  Shin turned away from his friend and his love troubles to resume his search for Akane. He found her on the edge of the room, her arms over her chest and her head bobbing back and forth as she scanned the crowd. Was she looking for him? It might have been arrogant to hope so. As he snuck up behind her, she muttered something under her breath he couldn’t quite make out.

  He put his hands on her waist and she almost leaped five feet in the air. She spun around to face him, teeth bared as if she’d tear his throat out. But when she saw him, her expression relaxed. And dare he hope, she looked happy to see him.

  “You scared me to death,” she said as she pulled away and clutched her throat.

  “You’ve been avoiding me ever since we got back.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and refused to look at him directly. “I wasn’t avoiding you, I was busy making sure Tomoe was okay. I’ve lost her again... There’s a lot of yokai here and she just went through a terrible ordeal...” she trailed off, her gaze meeting his. “Why are you smiling?”

  He hadn’t even realized his amusement was showing on his face. He coughed to cover it up. “No reason,” he said, trying to look away from her to spare her further embarrassment. How had he never noticed how adorable she was when she was making excuses? In fact, there were many qualities he’d come to admire in her during their time together.

  They both stood in strained silence for a moment before Akane said, “Thank you.”

  Shin blinked a few times, staring at her in confusion. “For what?”

  She rubbed her arm with her palm. “For helping me find Tomoe,” she mumbled under her breath.

  Shin smiled and leaned in closer to her. Her clean scent taunted his nostrils. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t quite hear that,” he breathed.

  “For—” She whipped her head around to meet his gaze, and suddenly they were inches apart. Her breath caught and he could feel his pulse throbbing in his throat. The noise of the room around them had dimmed and it was if they were the only two people in the entire world.

  Akane parted her lips slightly. “I—” she stuttered.

  “You?”

  She swallowed hard and turned away from him, shattering the moment into a million pieces. He cleared his throat and straightened up. Of course she didn’t see him that way, not that it mattered. They couldn’t be together for a thousand different reasons. If she were any other women he would have considered a one-time fling, but he knew one night with her would never be enough.

  “I should go find Tomoe,” Akane said, gesturing to the crowded room. Though he’d come to expect her avoidance, it still disappointed him. She took a few steps and turned around to say, “If you want, maybe we can talk later?”

  Shin grinned. “I’d like that.”

  She blushed and spun away from him. One little word, ‘later.’ It was filled with promise and expectation. Could there be more? The very idea sent his heart racing. His eyes followed her as she wended through the crowd toward Tomoe, who was flirting with a handsome yokai that Shin didn’t recognize.

  “You’re in a good mood.”

  Shin turned and Rin smiled at him mischievously. Before her smile rivaled the sun, and he had always turned toward it for warmth. But it wasn’t the same. That same feeling he’d been chasing for so long had dimmed.

  “It’s a time for celebration, why wouldn’t I be?” he said as he ran his hands through his hair.

  “You’re really taken by her, aren’t you?” she asked and brought his attention back to her. There was a mischievous glint in Rin’s eye. There was probably no one that knew him better than her. It shouldn’t have come at a surprise that she’d figured it out. For centuries he had thought himself in love with her. He had given up everything to protect her, so it felt wrong to talk about another woman with her, like he was betraying her somehow.

  “I’ve heard the dragon has made you into a general,” Shin said to change the subject. “You’ve risen high. You’re no longer his messenger.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Trying to change the subject? Fine. What about you? I heard he wants you to take up your old position.”

  The dragon hadn’t asked him formally, not yet. But the question was coming, he knew it. And, of course, that would be the logical next step. But he was hesitating. Not because of any lingering resentment to Rin or even the dragon. But because of well... Shin tugged at his collar. “Nothing is decided yet.”

  Rin stared at the collar around his neck, her expression falling. “Five hundred years,” she muttered to herself.

  Five hundred years of servitude, of torture, or pain. At times he had cursed himself for making that choice, but he wouldn’t have met Akane if he hadn’t.

  “I would do it again, given the choice,” he said to assure her. And he meant it.

  Rin’s eyes flickered up to him and tears were welling along her lashes. She threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight.

  She leaned in, whispering in his ear, “You’ve done enough. You can be happy now.”

  He froze in her arms. At one time they had been each other’s comfort, the only ones in this world that mattered. He loved her, and always would. But it was never meant to be. He’d held onto his love for her, and like a token it had kept him sane in that terrible place. But he was nearly free and it was time to move on from the past. Shin stepped back and looked in her eyes.

  “I never deserved you.”

  She smiled up at him. “I don’t deserve you.”

  He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead. It was goodbye: to the people they’d been, to what he’d always hoped for. They broke apart and as he turned he spotted Akane. She stared at them, eyes wide. He could only imagine how this must look to her.

  He took a step toward her but before he could reach her, she turned on her feet and ran the other direction, disappearing into the crowd.

  “Akane!” He shouted her name and tried to chase after her, but before he could get very far another crowd of yokai got in the way. When he broke free of them at last, he’d lost sight of her. He ran for the hall and turned in a circle, but she was gone. He growled in frustration.

  A hand came down hard on his shoulder. He turned around to see the dragon smiling at him.

  “Come, drink with me.” It was said more like a command than a request. But Shin was in no mood for cavorting. He had to explain himself to Akane.

  “Not now,” Shin said as he shook himself loose of his friend.

  The dragon ran in front of him, blocking his path. “I have something to talk to you about,” the dragon said.

  “We’ll talk later,” Shin replied, attempting to dodge.

  He wasn’t quick enough and the dragon caught him in a headlock. Shin struggled against him as the dragon said, “You’re not disappearing on me again.”

  “Fine, what is it?” Shin snarled.

  “I want you to bear my child,” the dragon teased.

  Shin pulled himself out of the headlock and took a playful swing at him. “You really have the worst timing.”

  “Women troubles?” The dragon smirked knowingly. “You dog, you haven’t changed at all.”

  This type of teasing was normal for them. But this time he’d hit too close to the mark. What had Akane heard about him since they’d been back at the palace? Had she heard about his womanizing past and come to the wrong conclusion?

  “I’m in no mood for you.” Shin pushed past him and ran in the direction Akane had gone. The dragon shouted after him. Shin ignored him.

  Drunk yokai wandered the halls, and he c
ould just imagine how upset she would be to be surrounded by them. She still wasn’t comfortable around her own kind. After searching for what felt like forever, he found her alone in a deserted garden. She had her head tilted back, staring at the sliver of moon in the sky. As he approached, he froze. Entranced by her and terrified to cross that distance. There had been hundreds of women over the centuries, and he’d always kept them at a distance. It was easier. Feelings were messy. If he opened himself up to her and she rejected him, he wasn’t sure he could take it. She must have sensed him, because she turned toward him with wide eyes brimming with tears. When she realized it was him, she turned and tried to disguise them by rubbing them away.

  “I’m not really in the mood to talk.” Her voice was like a knife to the heart.

  “Rin is just a friend.”

  She turned to him with a watery smile. “You don’t have to explain. I know she’s the reason you sold yourself to Akio. I’m happy for you both, really.”

  The words sounded so final to him. As if she’d slammed the door in his face. Maybe it would be better to walk away, with minimal heartache. The potential for more was different than the real thing. She didn’t feel welcome here, and this was where he belonged.

  Akane attempted to brush past him. “I have to go find Tomoe.”

  Shin grabbed her by the wrist. A small frown pulled her brows together. He’d hesitated with Rin, he wasn’t going to do the same with Akane.

  “I loved Rin.”

  She turned away from him. “You’re back where you belong then.”

  “I don’t love her anymore, not in the way I used to. She’ll always have a place in my heart. But there’s someone else who occupies that space now.”

  She was very still, like a rabbit in his sights. As if he made one wrong move, she would bolt.

  “Who?” Her voice was husky.

  Very gently, he turned her to face him, his hands resting on her arms. She didn’t back away this time. Her eyes were darting across his face.

  “Well, that depends on you.”

  She swallowed hard. “What does that mean?”

  When he wanted, he could be charming. But standing here, his raw emotions laid out for her, there was only one way he could think to say how he felt. He pulled her closer. With his hands on her back, her thundering heart against his chest, he kissed her.

  21

  Shin was a very good kisser. All her doubts faded away when he wrapped his arms around her. It felt right. His tongue parted her lips, exploring her mouth, and his hands tangled in her hair. Their chests were pressed together, their hearts beating in time with one another. And then much too soon, they broke apart, and Shin took a step back. His golden eyes scanned hers.

  “I shouldn’t have done that.” It was the first time she’d seem him seem unsure. It was endearing. But he’d awoken a hunger in her. A warm, glowing need was coiling in her belly.

  Her inner wolf howled, desperate for his touch. Forming words was beyond her. It felt as if she was being consumed by her desire. But she and her inner wolf were no longer two minds sharing a body. From that night she’d fallen asleep curled up next to him, to all the little moments in between, it had all been leading up this. Her wolf had sensed it. They were of one mind and they both wanted Shin. No one else could calm her at her most wild. She’d tried to deny it, but there were no more excuses left. She grabbed hold of his kosode. She bunched the cloth in her fist, bringing him closer, smashing her mouth against his. Teeth brushed against each other in her urgency to feel his tongue swipe against her lips. His hands roved over her body, caressing the swell of her hips, and curve of her rear, which he squeezed. She ground her groin against him as she clawed her nails across his back, ripping the fabric in her need.

  He walked her backward, pushing her back against a nearby wall. His palm, smooth against her belly, hitched up her haori. Her breath caught.

  Laughter floated down the hallway. They broke apart, panting as the yokai passed by. She devoured him with her eyes as he watched the intruders walk on past.

  “Perhaps we should go somewhere more private.”

  “I think that would be best,” she said a little breathless.

  He grabbed her hand and led her down the hall. Her pulse was dancing, her entire body burning with need. After a brief search, they found an empty room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Akane leaped onto Shin, wrapping her legs around his hips. He nuzzled against her neck, his tongue flicking against her sensitive skin. Akane groaned. Shin laid her down on the futon, leaning above her. His eyes trailed over her face, then down. Akane arched her back as she slipped out of her haori. Her exposed flesh pebbled in the cool night air. Shin kissed down her chest to her bellybutton. Then he looked up at her.

  “If you want we can stop,” he said.

  Her breath was heavy and the scent of him intoxicating. All she could think about was him. How she needed him, to really feel whole. To mend that last broken piece of her heart.

  “I don’t want to stop.” She pulled him back up toward her, kissing him again.

  Akane woke the next morning, her body languid and loose. Shin’s arm wrapped around her waist and held her close. It was like the night she’d woken up in the forest with him tangled around her but different. So much different. Thinking about the night before, a blush stained her cheeks. Being with Shin was like nothing she’d experienced before. She felt complete. Shin stirred against her and pressed himself to her backside.

  “Ready for round two?” he purred in her ear.

  Akane smiled and spun around to face him. Kissing him gently, she said against his lips, “I thought you would be tired after last night.”

  “You think that’s all I have in me?” He smiled against her.

  But their kiss was cut short when the door flew open and Tomoe stormed in. “Akane we need to talk—” She froze mid-sentence, eyes wide.

  Akane jumped up and covered herself with the blanket while Shin did the same.

  Tomoe’s eyes darted from Shin to Akane, then a slow smile spread over her lips. “You two? Did you?”

  Akane grabbed Shin’s clothes off the ground and tossed them at him, before wrapping the blanket around herself and ushering Tomoe out the door. Tomoe attempted to peak her head over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of a naked Shin, presumably, but Akane had her out of the room before she had the chance.

  She exhaled and leaned against the door. Shin had put on his hakama, but his bare chest was exposed, and the trail of hair that led downward caught her gaze for a moment. He smirked at her assessment. He strolled over and planted his arms on either side of the door and planted a kiss on Akane’s lips. She melted all over again. If she had the chance, she’d join him for another roll in the futon.

  But Tomoe banged on the door. “You can’t keep me out here forever!”

  Akane sighed.

  “I probably should let you handle that.” He stepped back and Akane ached for him. There was so much more she wanted to do with him before she returned to the temple. It struck her then just how little time was left. Very soon they’d take Tomoe back to the temple. But she didn’t want to think about that right now.

  “You probably should.” But she didn’t move to out of the way. She wanted this moment to last forever.

  Tomoe banged on the door again.

  “She’s going to break down that door.” He smirked at Akane.

  She laughed. “I’ll see you later?” Akane asked. Which was silly, of course they’d see one another. They had to take Tomoe back to the temple together.

  “Definitely.” He kissed again, an unhurried lingering kiss.

  The banging turned into a crash, and it sounded like Tomoe was slamming her shoulder into the door. Akane had to let her in before she hurt herself.

  They shared a look, and then Shin slid the door open. Tomoe almost fell flat on her face as he opened it. She caught herself at the last minute and straightened up to give Shin a look as he strolled out of the room. Tomoe t
urned around once he was gone and sighed, with a dreamy girlish expression. It was surprising to see Tomoe this way, she’d never expressed any interest in romance before.

  “What was so urgent you burst in here first thing in the morning?” Akane said casually, as if she hadn’t just been caught in bed with Shin.

  “Oh no, you’re not going to just ignore this. You have to explain, how’d this happen?”

  “I’m not going to tell you that,” Akane sputtered.

  “I know what happened, I found you both naked in bed together,” Tomoe said, rolling her eyes. “How did you meet? When did you get to know each other so well?” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  It felt like a million years since Tomoe was kidnapped. Shin had been pretending to be Shinon then. Akane blushed and busied herself dressing. She didn’t want to explain to Tomoe, who was little more than a child, her carnal relationship with Shin. But she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to tell her the rest of the story, minus what had happened last night.

  When Akane was done telling Tomoe everything that had happened up until now, she was staring wistfully out the window. There was a small ledge, which she was perched upon. It reminded Akane of home, and how Tomoe would stare with longing out it. According to the head priestess, Tomoe was the most powerful priestess to be born in centuries. It was hard to believe her impulsive dreamer could be. And soon she’d need to return to the temple to resume her role as kamigakari.

  “Then does this mean you’ll be staying here with him at the dragon’s palace?”

  “Of course not,” Akane said with a frown. She had a duty to the temple.

  “But he’s the dragon’s general. Where else will you both go?”

  Akane shook her head. “There’s no us. We just had some fun...”

  “Maybe not yet. But once we get settled in here, maybe you’ll change your mind,” Tomoe said, jumping down from the windowsill.

  “We’re not settling in here.”