by Hickory Mack
“I’m sorry I said that,” she said, tentatively taking some of his hair in her hands and toying with it. “I’m being selfish again.”
“That’s easy to do when you’re twelve-years-old,” he replied and she made a face.
“Thirteen. My birthday was yesterday,” Chiori said and Makkai’s ears pricked forward, his eyes boring into hers.
“Why didn’t you tell me? It should have been celebrated. We’ll celebrate today instead,” he said.
“I lost track of the days again, I didn’t know until last night. I have a calendar now,” Chiori said with a shrug. “It doesn’t matter, you’re here with me, that’s all I would have asked for anyway.”
“Birthdays are still important at your age. You should enjoy them while they are,” Makkai said stubbornly.
“When will you see me as a grown up? Eighteen? Twenty? Forty? A hundred?” she asked, it was a question that had bothered her a lot. He was centuries old, what he considered maturity might be very different than her idea of it.
“You need a number?” he asked, his frown deepening when she nodded. “When will you see yourself as grown? When are hunters considered adults?”
“Eighteen for some things, twenty-one for others,” she answered, kicking herself a little for the second number. “That was in Balance. In Tallow it’s younger. Girls are married off by fourteen or fifteen in Tallow. And in the journal Ichio gave me, it’s normal for witches to seal a bond at fourteen.”
“Fourteen, are you kidding? Tallow and Ichio’s stupid journal don’t count. The hunters would put us eight years out,” he said softly. “Your fae half wouldn’t allow you to leave your parent’s care until you’re fifty. Witches mature more slowly than humans at first, then they blossom all at once. We can compromise on this, too. You’re perfectly half of each, straight down the middle, but I dare say your witchy half is the dominant side. So, seven years. I’ll consider you grown then.”
“Is that how long you think it will take, before we can be together all the time?” she asked.
“I think seven years sounds like a reasonable amount of torture. We can make it through that long,” he answered, but he looked even more miserable than before. Chiori shook her head. “We can try, at least,” he amended, lifting her so she sat on his knee. She leaned into him, her head on his shoulder.
“We can try,” she agreed, resolving that she wouldn’t complain about how much she missed him again during their visits. It wasn’t right for her to keep pushing him when he so clearly told her it was difficult for him when she did. Chiori yawned, snuggling into him more.
“You’re tired?” he asked.
“I was too excited to see you, so I couldn’t sleep last night,” she admitted.
“You’re supposed to relax on your days off. Why not take a nap?” he suggested.
“I don’t want to miss a moment,” she said quickly.
“It’s not like I’m going anywhere without you,” he slid her off his lap, took her hand and went outside. He sat at the base of a tree. Chiori sat next to him, resting and letting him support her with his arms around her. Before she knew it, she was sound asleep.
When she woke it was getting dark and she was furious with herself. He made her a simple dinner and she ate it slowly, drawing out their time together as much as she could. Makkai knew what she was up to but he allowed it without comment. He’d stayed awake and watched her sleep, soaking up every breath she took and he felt a little guilty for not waking her up sooner. They took their time washing the dishes and tidying up.
He closed up their cabin and pulled her in close, placing the barrier before they made the jump. They landed in the front yard, but he wasn’t ready to part yet, he still had one thing to show her. He walked her around the house, knowing it would take longer than if they cut through. Ichio walked by in the distance in his stag form and Makkai nodded acknowledgement in his direction.
When they came around to the back of the house Chiori got a clear view of the massive tree she’d been able to see from the bottom of the mountain. She’d seen it from every angle, but she’d never gone to find it and see it up close.
Makkai walked with her to its base, it was the single most massive thing she’d ever seen in her life, easily four times bigger than the matriarch cottonwood. Around its trunk was a thick rope, decorated with paper sutras, and posts with a single rope stood as a barrier, denying access to the great tree.
“Place your hand on the barrier,” Makkai instructed, putting his own hand up, mirroring what he’d done with the barriers on her hallways. “It will let you through now, but it won’t allow you to admit anyone else. You’re the only one I trust with this, so it’s just you.” He stepped over the rope and helped her do the same.
“Why do you have a barrier around the tree?” she asked, looking up at it with awe.
“Touch it. Tell me what you feel,” Makkai said. Chiori put her palm on the tree and it overwhelmed her. The tree was conscious, it was intelligent, it was-
“You,” she whispered, her hand clutching her heart. “I feel you.”
“This tree is what binds me to these lands. It’s my Kami tree, my God tree. Three tails too soon. Which is why, though I am connected to the land, I struggle to heal it. I’m a Kitsune, we don’t get our Earthy connection until we are nearly gods, eight tails, not six. They put my soul in that tree, that’s the only way they could think to bring me to heel,” Makkai said.
“Your soul is in here,” Chiori said, pressing her forehead to the bark.
“I can feel it, when you’re near the tree. When you touch it. I’ll know you’re there. When we’re apart, come here whenever you need, and I’ll feel it too. Even if I’m unable to respond, I’ll know. The barrier will protect you, nobody can even see us right now. We can still be close, even if we can’t be together,” Makkai said. Chiori turned to face him, tears in her eyes. She rushed forward and hugged him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. “Thank you.”
“One last thing, before I forget,” Makkai said, fishing a satchel out of a pocket. “I made this, for you.”
Chiori loosened the strings and opened the little bag. Inside was a carefully carved wooden flute. The wood was pale but the grain was dark, almost as though it were stained. It was smooth, and the five finger holes were perfect circles. Lord Makkai showed her how to hold it, and how to blow into it so it made a reedy, wooden sound. She played with it for a few minutes, until it was time for him to go.
“Do your best this week, my Chiori,” Makkai said.
Chiori held it together when he left her standing in the courtyard, leaving the tears for after he was gone, a blazing blue light streaking across the sky. Once he was out of sight she completely fell apart running to her room and sobbing in Yuuki’s arms. Mai was so upset by Chiori’s emotional state she started crying too. When she was able to get herself together she told them she wanted to sleep.
Saya bedded down with her, making Chiori’s plans more difficult. The Wolf had amazing hearing and would snap to awareness more quickly than the other girls.
The house would work against her, too. Its confusing hallways always got her turned around. She waited until Saya was sound asleep, and slipped out as quietly as she could, thankful that the tracks of her door were kept well oiled. She tip-toed over the creakiest floorboards, keeping her blanket from sliding along the floor.
She couldn’t believe her luck. She’d made it through the first hallway and managed to remember the first two turns without getting caught sneaking around in her pajamas. Then she heard voices ahead and took a quick left to avoid the speakers. Creeping down to the next hallway she frowned. Everything looked the same here, there was nothing to distinguish one room or hallway from the next.
“How does anybody find their way around in this place?” she muttered.
“Through scent, mostly, but after a while you memorize the layout pretty well,” a woman said behind her. Chiori sighed. Bus
ted, but at least it was someone she was familiar with!
“Ani, good evening,” she said. Ani bowed and Chiori noticed the woman’s hair was impossibly long again. She wondered if it was a spider thing, to grow it so quickly, it had only been a week since Ani had cut it short.
“Good evening, Lady Chiori,” Ani said, waiting for Chiori to explain herself. It would be impolite to ask outright.
“I’m, um, lost,” Chiori admitted.
“Yes, this isn’t an area of the house one such as yourself would make a habit of visiting. Where were you trying to go? If you’d like, I can help you find it,” Ani offered.
“That would be amazing,” Chiori exclaimed in a hushed voice, though small noises here and there made it obvious several people were still awake. “I was trying to find the entrance hall, though maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Would you like me to take you back to your rooms?” she asked.
“No. I want to go outside. To the Kami tree,” Chiori said and Ani’s severe expression softened.
“You’re doing this secretively. Hmmm,” Ani thought about it a second. “I know a way that shouldn’t attract too much attention.”
Ani led Chiori through a series of hallways, and at some point they went straight past the kitchen. Chiori snuck a quick peek. Two of Milly’s six were still there, working dough into loaves to be baked into bread. She hadn’t known they worked so late, though it had to be a lot of responsibility, feeding such a large house of people. Chiori wanted to do something for them, to show her appreciation. She’d ask Nakia about it tomorrow.
Their route twisted and turned a few more times and Ani delivered her to a door that let out behind the bath house. They’d been seen by no one. The spider did not stick around for gratitude or goodbyes. She gave a quick bow and was on her way.
Chiori looked this way and that, making sure there was nobody around that would try to stop her. Darting across the grounds using the moon for light she made it to the tree with no problems. She stood outside of its ropes for a long moment, once again taking in the sheer size of the tree. Placing her hand on the barrier it recognized her and let her through.
She pressed her hands and forehead to the rough bark and the smoke fire cinnamon scent of Lord Makkai rose around her. The tree gave her the impression she’d surprised it, but it welcomed her. She lay curled among its roots, a poor substitution for Makkai’s warmth, but it was overwhelmingly peaceful. In minutes Chiori was asleep. Her dreams were sweet, filled with all the bizarre events of her first week as mistress of House Makkai.
Chapter 33
Chiori knew she was in trouble the moment she woke. She couldn’t hear anything beyond the barrier, but she could see. Haruka, Fen and Nakia were all out there. Nakia to the side her arms crossed over her chest while Haruka and Fen argued. Chiori wanted to crawl beneath the roots of the Kami tree and hide. At least she knew they couldn’t see her, sitting there in her pajamas.
She watched the boar and badger argue, wondering what they were saying. Then she watched Nakia, she looked uncomfortable. Guiltily Chiori wondered if the snake had been scolded over her behavior. It wasn’t Nakia’s fault she’d creeped out without telling anyone.
Chiori stood and brushed off the bits of dried grass and dirt on her clothes. Her hair was a mess, she’d fallen asleep with a ponytail in. She took it out, finger combed it as best she could and plaited it into a loose, messy braid. Chiori stretched, expecting to be sore after sleeping on the ground all night, but she was limber and well rested. She psyched herself up. Confrontation was unavoidable so it was best if she took control and ended it quickly.
Steeling her nerves she stepped through the barrier. The argument between Fen and Haruka wasn’t as loud as it looked, and her appearance brought it to an abrupt stop. Nakia’s face was an emotionless mask, revealing nothing.
“A welcoming committee,” Chiori smiled at them, sparing her biggest smile for Haruka. “Before-”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Haruka demanded. Fen’s eyebrows raised and his forehead wrinkled. “The whole house was up and searching for you this morning!”
“You will not take my voice. Do not speak over me,” Chiori said quietly. The corner of Nakia’s mouth twitched as she fought off a smile.
“You put every person in this house in danger! If Lord Makkai-”
“Lord Makkai knew where I was. Obviously,” Chiori said, maintaining her calm. “Would you like an explanation, or is your only purpose here to yell at me? If it’s the latter we can go our separate ways, I have class soon.”
“Lady Chiori makes a fair point, Haruka,” Fen said, emphasizing her title.
“My Lord told me I can come here whenever I want. I’m not from a place where I had to check in and tell everyone my whereabouts every moment of every day. If I want to sleep under this tree, I will. I plan on doing it again tonight. I’m not a kept pet and I will not be treated as one. Give me some freedom, let me spend some time alone once in a while,” Chiori said. Nakia’s mouth twisted slightly.
“And let’s be real Haruka, you weren’t worried about me, you were worried about yourself. Had my safety been a concern you would have contacted Lord Makkai, and he would have told you exactly where I was,” Chiori said, staring directly into the badger’s bright eyes. “Was there anything else that needs to be addressed?”
“I think enough has been said,” Fen said, amused. “Enjoy the rest of your day, my Lady.”
“You as well,” Chiori returned, brushing past Haruka and walking back to the house.
That morning’s breakfast was an uncomfortably silent affair. Yuuki was absent and Saya wouldn’t look Chiori in the eye. Chiori didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to hurt any of their feelings, but the conversation needed to happen. The tension lasted ten minutes before Mai broke the silence and Chiori sighed in relief.
“It’s different here, than what you’re used to. I get that,” Mai said.
“We aren’t trying to stifle you, we’re just following orders. Stay with you, help you, keep you happy,” Saya added. Chiori sat forward, chin in her hand.
“Whose orders?” she asked.
“Silk,” Nakia replied. “He oversees staffing. It was Silk and Lord Makkai that hand-picked which of us would be given the chance to work with you.”
“Well, the orders change today,” Chiori said. “I’ll think about it and we can talk about it over lunch. I’m not unhappy with any of you. You’re sweet and kind and the only friends I have in the world.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” Nakia said.
“But, I need a little wiggle room sometimes. Time to recharge, away from people. Give me time to process everything I’m seeing and learning every day,” Chiori said.
“She’s an introvert,” Saya said. “They’re a sub-species of hermits.”
“Oooh,” Mai replied.
“I’m glad this is finally in the open,” Nakia said. “We can’t guess everything you need, and I have failed to request more information on your preferences. You have mentioned the desire for time alone once before, and I did not make it a priority. I am sorry, Lady Chiori.”
“We’ve only known each other for a week,” Chiori reminded her. “We need to get to know each other better and work out the kinks. That takes a little time. I hope you aren’t terribly angry with me. My disappearing act may have been selfish, but I had to go out there. Not one nightmare last night, and I didn’t need any help.”
“Help? You mean tea?” Mai asked.
“Asuka?” Nakia asked at the same time. Chiori blushed hard and rubbed her eyes to try and hide it. She’d been so thoughtless, referencing Kai like that.
“Any magic at all. I just needed Lord Makkai,” she said.
“So, we will practice more openness in conversation and communication,” Nakia said. “And we will figure out the easiest way to be accessible to you while you are sleeping behind the Kami tree’s impenetrable barrier.”
“We’ll b
e prepared to receive new instructions over lunch time,” Mai added. Chiori spied Hina. The dog had been silent the entire conversation, listening and chewing her food.
“Yes. Yes to all of that. If there’s anything I’ve learned from Lord Makkai it’s to be capable of compromise, I’m willing to listen. If you feel like I’ve taken anything too far, I want your advice, I want your guidance and wisdom,” Chiori said. “I can’t do this without you, I’m not so arrogant as to think I can.”
“You have it,” Nakia said, setting down her spoon. “Believe it or not, we genuinely like and care for you, Lady Chiori.”
“Same. You girls and Lord Makkai are the closest I have to family. I don’t want to mess it up,” Chiori said. Arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind and a cheek pressed against hers. Chiori froze.
“You won’t mess it up,” Yuuki said. She sounded tired. She gave Chiori a little squeeze and sat down, looking at her plate with a blank expression. The sprite was exhausted. “I can charm the bell. I‘ll make it so when you speak one of our names and ring it, we’ll hear it no matter where in the house we are.”
“Good, you’re in charge of that, then,” Nakia agreed quickly.
“Yuuki gets today off,” Chiori said. “Get some sleep today. You look like you need it.”
“I will definitely accept that offer,” Yuuki said, smiling gratefully.
“That means Mai or Saya for Winry’s class. I have to meet with Silk and Fen this morning, and Hina is still on laundry duty,” Nakia said, speaking of the dog demon’s punishment for the way she’d spoken about Kai. Chiori looked at the girls and smiled.