by Dani Hoots
Focus, Ketsueki. Focus.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah, just tired. I will be fine though.”
“Maybe we should stop so you can rest.”
I shook my head. “If we stop, it is a higher chance of getting attacked by yokai. Once we get to the bathhouse, we will be fine.”
“It’s a yokai bathhouse, correct?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Will I be allowed in?”
That was a good question. Had I ever seen a human in a yokai bathhouse before? Maybe once, but that was not a splendid example. I kept trying to think back to any other time. I came up with nothing.
“We will figure that out when we get there. I think you can if I am there. Just don’t leave my sight, and you should be fine.”
“This isn’t going to be like Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi is it? I don’t think I could deal with that right now.”
“Like what?”
I felt him shake his head. “Never mind, forget about it. I forgot you probably don’t watch movies.”
“What is a movie?”
“It’s like a play, but you watch it on a screen. Like my phone.”
I didn’t quite understand but decided not to press further. “I used to go to plays with Aki-chan. We went to some wonderful plays together, both yokai and human. It surprised me humans could be so clever.”
“Tsuki-san, you don’t like humans, do you?”
That was an understatement. “No, I don’t.”
“What happened? I presume that since you are a yokai that they tried to hurt you, sort of like all the old folklore.”
My body tensed. “Something like that, yes.”
“Well, I would never hurt you,” he whispered. My cheeks warmed. He was the first human that had seen my true form and didn’t run away. But that didn’t mean I would forgive humans that easily. No, they still had done many disastrous things in the past— things I wouldn’t ever forget.
“You can call me Ketsue-chan.”
“Is that what Akikumo-sama used to call you?”
I nodded. “And his otouto.”
“Oh, I didn’t know there was another wolf we were looking for.”
I frowned, the memory of Yamiyo coming back to me. “There isn’t.”
“Ah. I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago. Don’t worry about it.”
Yamato was quiet for a moment. “You can call me by my first name as well. I don’t really have a cute nickname or anything that people call me.”
I bit my lip, trying to think of something. “How about Yama-chan?”
“Whatever. Sure.”
I smiled a little, glad that I had something more informal to call him. I told myself that it was because I didn’t like giving humans honorifics, but after he said no one had a nickname for him and I did, that made me special, right?
Shaking my head, I pushed away any thoughts of being special. Why did I care? He was just a human I got stuck babysitting while I looked for Akikumo. I mean, he helped me travel as I didn’t know where I was going, but that was it. There was nothing more.
“So, why aren’t you afraid of yokai as most of the others? When humans saw them, they used to be terrified.”
“I don’t know. I guess I just always accepted my fate. I’ve seen yokai since I was tiny. Some are nice, some liked to pick on me, and some...” He trailed off as if remembering what had happened to him. “Some, like the one that attacked us, want to kill. I have never defeated any before but usually can run away and back to where my parents are. They never believed me of course, and so I stopped talking about them.”
“But they still keep attaching themselves to you.”
“Exactly. I don’t mind them most of the time, but some can be mischievous, and since no one sees them...”
“They blame you.” I finished his sentence.
“Yup. My entire life has been like that. I have told my parents many times, but they never believed me, which is funny since my father is the shrine priest. You would think he would believe in such spiritual things.”
I understood why Inari wanted me to take him with me. “I think the problem is more he believes in spirits but doesn’t think they are actually with you. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah, it does. It just doesn’t help that he doesn’t see them yet worships Inari-sama. I just don’t get how someone so close to the gods can’t see the surrounding spirits.”
“Faith isn’t seeing, faith is believing,” I explained.
“Like you have faith this Akikumo is still alive?”
“It’s not just faith; I know he is alive. There is no way he can be dead. He was too powerful.”
“I see.”
“I wonder, however, why so few humans can see yokai these days, even ones who believe in spirits. Everything just kind of stopped two centuries ago.”
“Is that good or bad?”
I laughed a little. “I’m not sure, to be honest.”
After an hour, we made it to where the trees started to spread out. I noticed there were more people in this area, and they kept looking at us. I presumed it was because I had Yamato on my back and women weren’t supposed to carry boys.
“Um, Ketsue-chan?”
I blushed as he used that name. “Yes, Yama-chan?”
“Your ears and tails are showing.”
I jumped, almost dropping Yamato. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier? Humans have been staring at us!”
“Don’t worry, they probably just think you are some strange cosplayer. They won’t try to hurt you or anything.”
“A cosplayer?” I asked.
“Someone who dresses up. A lot of humans dress up for events and wear animal ears and tails. Although yours do look a lot more real compared to those.”
“That’s because they are real.”
“Fair. Right now no one is looking though, so you can transform.”
I did just that and kept forward. “How much longer do we have?”
Yamato shifted on my back, and I did my best not to drop him. I was nearing my limit and needed to get to our destination as quick as we could.
“It should just be up ahead. Do you think you can last much longer?”
“No, but what choice do I have?”
I kept on trekking, and as I was about to collapse, I saw the sun-bleached torii we needed to pass under. I quickened my pace and prayed that since I was carrying a human, that I could take him with me as we transported into the void between this world and the netherworld.
Stepping my foot through the torii, my body transformed back into a kitsune and I felt Yamato still on my back. That was a good sign as now before us was a magnificent building. I heard Yamato gasp as he saw the scenery. On the other side of the torii, there had been nothing, but now on the top of this mountain terrain was a gigantic building that was painted every different color. It had at least seven levels. I admired it for a moment, then my body gave out.
That’s when I collapsed to the ground.
Chapter Sixteen
Summer 1596 (Azuchi-Momoyama Period)—Hida Mountains
WE SAT AT THE TABLE in Akikumo’s small home, enjoying the breeze coming through the open shoji. Even up on the mountain peak, the air was hotter this time of year. I was glad it wasn’t as cold as the year before, as the snow didn’t want to melt and I found myself curled up under the table in my fox form more often than not. Yamiyo simply stayed warm by drinking all the liquor he could. Although even now that it was hot, he was still sipping on some sake. I guess it didn’t matter what temperature it was to him.
“I will need to return to my work next month, but I have had a lot of fun joining you two on your adventures.” Yamiyo grinned widely, folding his thick arms in front of himself. His long, black hair was pulled back, and his wolf ears made him appear even taller. The contrast between him and Akikumo was like night and day, but after traveling with both of them for the past few years, I saw the resemblance
through their honor and loyalty to the gods and sympathy to those around them.
“Ojisan! Don’t leave us!” I wrapped my arms around him and threatened not to let go.
He laughed. “Don’t worry, Ketsue-chan. I’m not leaving yet. First I want to treat the two of you to somewhere special.”
“Oh?” Akikumo raised an eyebrow. “And what is that? It better not be another sake bar. Ketsue-chan is not allowed the stuff anymore.”
I blushed, as last time I turned into a fox and passed out. I only had one full cup.
“No, it is not a sake bar. They serve sake where we are going though, so the two of us can treat ourselves and we won’t have to worry about Ketsue-chan turning into a fox.”
“And what is this mysterious place?”
“In the north mountains, there is a beautiful konyoku that has recently opened up for yokai called Yamagami Konyoku. It’s supposed to be for high-up kami and yokai, and you need a reservation a year in advance to get in.” He held up three pieces of paper. “And guess who got us tickets a year ago?”
I let go of him and jumped up and down. “Yay! A yokai onsen! I can’t wait!”
Akikumo patted Yamiyo on the shoulder. “Well done, otouto. I didn’t think you could even surprise me.”
Yamiyo smiled proudly. “Well, what’s a younger brother to do when his ani is one like yourself?”
I kept jumping up and down. “When are we going to go, ojisan?”
“Tomorrow we will go to town and find us some horses and ride up north and arrive by the week’s end. Then we can relax for a few days in a beautiful bathhouse.”
I made a mental list of all the things I would need to bring and what I would need to buy once we arrived. I needed a new kimono for sure, as the one I wore daily was getting old. This would be the best vacation ever.
AS Yamiyo predicted, we arrived at the bathhouse by the end of the week. There was a reason the place was named yamagami as the building literally stood on the top of Mount Odake. By the time we reached the peak where the torii gate awaited, I was out of breath and ready to relax in the hot water that awaited me. We had to sell the horses lower on the mountain as they wouldn’t have been able to make it to this area.
“We are here!” Yamiyo clapped his hands together.
I collapsed dramatically and curled up in a ball.
Akikumo rolled his eyes. “I’m not carrying you, Ketsue-chan. Don’t even try it.”
Reaching down, Yamiyo lifted me up into his arms. “I will! Otherwise what kind of ojisan would I be?”
I gave Akikumo a look of triumph, and the three of us walked through the torii gate. I stared in astonishment at the grand building that lay before me. Yamiyo was right; this was definitely a new building. It appeared pristine and glistened in the summer sun.
The building spanned the top of the mountain and comprised three large levels. It was busy, exactly as Yamiyo had mentioned. A rokurokubi walked in front of us, his neck stretching high into the sky. I hadn’t seen one in quite a while and gaped at him. I wondered how he didn’t have neck problems from the strain of his head.
We entered the main building, and Yamiyo set me down and spoke with the head staff. I stayed next to Akikumo, still amazed by all the yokai that wandered around. Never had I seen so many at an onsen before. The bath would be crowded more than normal, but between Yamiyo and Akikumo, I doubted anyone would give us trouble or come near us.
Yamiyo finished talking to the head staff, and an attendant joined him. The attendant was a jorogumo with eight spider arms that came out of her back that seemed to come in handy when helping guests carry luggage. She wore a black-and-red kimono decorated with webs. Her black eyes met mine, giving me a chill. Although here they were pleasant creatures, some weren’t so friendly. And I didn’t care for spiders.
Yamiyo waved us over. “Come on, we can check into our room now and change for the bath.”
Akikumo and I followed Yamiyo and the jorogumo to our room. We were on the third level, which excited me because I enjoyed being on the top floor of a building as then I didn’t hear anyone above us. The room was simple, with three futons rolled up and ready to be used. The room flooring was the typical tatami mats and shoji that led to the deck. Currently it was open, letting in the cool mountain air. I could see down the valley of the mountain where the human settlements were. Even though we were between dimensions, part of each world was visible until you traveled deeper into the netherworld.
The jorogumo bowed and left us in our room. Yamiyo clapped his hands together. “Well, should we go enjoy the bath?”
I nodded, unable to wait for the warm water to soothe my aching muscles. Akikumo sighed. “I suppose if you insist.”
We put our things away and hurried to the bath. It was all outside, and the cool air felt nice on my skin. I wrapped my hair up with a tie, as did Akikumo and Yamiyo. We each washed ourselves with the buckets of water before entering, as is custom to clean yourselves before stepping into the water. Although for human onsen, it was custom not to let hair touch the water, it was a little more complicated for yokai. Some yokai had forms that had hair covering all or parts of their body, such as our tails. We still kept our long hair up as it was a bother to dry it, even though our tails got wet.
The onsen was a lot less crowded than I expected it would be, but there were still a lot of yokai filling up the area. Most kept their eyes to themselves, as it was a mixed gender bath. I never cared, as everyone was respectful in the yokai baths. Humans, on the other hand, I had to always keep close to Akikumo just in case.
Dipping a toe in, my body relaxed. The bath was so warm compared to the mountain air. I found a corner and sat down, enjoying the view from the top of the mountain. The valley of trees was lush. I sighed, looking down at them.
“What’s that sigh for?” Yamiyo took a seat next to me.
Akikumo joined us. “She is probably wishing that the onsen was in the middle of the woods.”
I blushed, although it was hard to tell as I was already heating up. “This place is marvelous. I love being in the forest.”
Yamiyo laughed. “Such a fox. I will have to disagree, however, as mountaintops are much better.”
I rolled my eyes. “Wolves and their mountains. It’s much colder up here if you haven’t noticed.”
“Then you can really appreciate the hot spring.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Whatever. I’d rather be where it’s warm all the time.”
“Doesn’t your fur get too hot to deal with?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I love it.”
“It’s true.” Akikumo sighed. “She loves the heat.”
“Ten men, ten colors, I suppose. Everyone has a different favorite thing.”
“Yeah, but in Ketsue-chan’s case, she’s just strange.”
I opened an eye and stuck my tongue out at Akikumo. More yokai had joined the onsen, and for the most part, it was quiet with just a few whispering. I relaxed a bit, trying not to drift to sleep.
“Care if we join you over here?” I heard a squeak of a voice ask. I opened my eyes to find a group of small kappa standing before us.
Akikumo gestured. “It is a public bath; go right ahead.”
They each nodded. “Thank you.”
There were five of them, and they all appeared young. They had small beaks and black hair almost as black as Yamiyo’s. They all possessed a bald spot on their head and green skin. They paddled over to a spot with their webbed hands.
“A white okami. You are a rare yokai. You don’t happen to be Akikumo?” one of the kappa asked.
Akikumo nodded. “That I am.”
The kappa’s face lit up. “I am so glad to have run into you. We need your assistance. One of our ponds we frequent is covered in a dark miasma, and no one has succeeded in clearing it.”
“Where is the pond?” he asked.
“It is in the Okayama providence.”
That was clear across Japan. We had finally found time
to rest, was Akikumo really considering journeying all the way to the south part of this country? I glanced over to find him thinking about it. He nodded.
“Yes, I can go there.”
“Can you go as soon as possible? Many of our friends are getting sick from the miasma.”
“Yes, we can. Let me stop by my home and get some things before journeying to your home.”
“Thank you so much, Akikumo-sama! You are a lifesaver!”
I lowered farther in the bath, hiding the fact that I was disappointed he agreed to it. Yamiyo was leaving us soon and hoped we could stay together for a bit.
“Chin up, Ketsue-chan,” Yamiyo whispered. “That is the direction I need to go so we can stay together longer. Then you will have ani all to yourself.”
I smiled a little, but we both knew that wasn’t true. Akikumo would always put others before himself even if it meant putting something before me.
Chapter Seventeen
Present day—Hida Mountains
“KETSUE-CHAN... WAKE up, Ketsue-chan...”
My eyes flickered open to find Yamato’s face above mine. His eyes were wide and almost red as if he had been crying. I glanced around and found myself in an onsen room. A table full of food lay in the middle of the room. My stomach grumbled.
Yamato laughed. “Seriously? You pass out and when you wake up, your body just thinks about food?”
I nodded as I rolled over toward it. “I passed out because I ran out of energy. Of course I am hungry.”
“Well, it should still be warm. They just brought it in.”
I grabbed an onigiri and stuffed it in my mouth. The center was filled with grilled salmon. I devoured it and stuffed another in my mouth.
“What happened?” Part of the journey came back to me. We had arrived at the bathhouse after climbing up the mountain. A couple of yokai then attacked us, and we barely made it out alive. “Is your leg okay?”
Yamato nodded as he leaned back. He appeared tired but had stayed awake waiting for me to be conscious once again. His once stylish hair was a mess, and his pant leg was soaked with blood, now cut above where his wound was.
