Page 26 of Night of the Dragon

“In the long years since that night,” Kiyomi-sama continued, “I have tried my best to move on, to forget that I had a daughter, though I knew it would be impossible. One does not simply carry a life within them for so long without it becoming a part of them. I even had a name for her,” Kiyomi-sama admitted shakily, “one that I shared only with my husband, and have not spoken since that night. Her name would be...Yumeko, because her existence, and the way she came into my life, had been like a dream.”

The tears that had been threatening to burst forth finally did, spilling over and running hotly down my cheeks. Her grief echoed in her every word, every glance and gesture, a lifetime of sorrow and regret. I bowed my head and sobbed, for Kiyomi-sama and all she had lost, for the life that was stolen from her, and for the mother I had never known. For the first time, I found myself hating my father, the mysterious yokai who had planned this from the very beginning, who had made Kiyomi-sama fall in love with him and bear him a child, knowing he would tear her life apart in the end.

“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, feeling the gaze of the daimyo on the top of my head. “I didn’t... I would have come if I had known. Somehow, I would have found my way.”

The daimyo was quiet a moment, watching me, before she rose. I heard the swish of her kimono as she walked to my side of the gazebo and gazed down at me. I didn’t dare look up, suddenly terrified that I would see resentment in her eyes, anger and hate for the half-kitsune who had shown up on her doorstep, reminding her of everything she had lost. Then she bent down, her fingers softly brushing my elbows as she drew me to my feet. I raised my head and met her gaze, searching, apprising, but otherwise unreadable.

“He must have known,” Kiyomi-sama whispered. “He must have known, somehow, that you would find your way here. It is too much to believe that on the eve of the Dragon’s Wish, you would appear before me by chance. And if the Kirin sent you to me, then there are forces at work beyond anyone’s control or comprehension.”

She sighed, and I imagined the mantle of leadership weighing heavily on her shoulders. I could practically see it bearing her down, though she raised her head and stood firm. “You will have your aid, Yumeko-san,” the Tsuki daimyo said. “The Moon Clan will stand ready to help you and your companions. If that calls us to march on the sacred cliffs of Ryugake and confront an army of demons, so be it. I will gather my forces, and tomorrow we will travel to Tani Kaminari, the Valley of Lightning, that sits below the sacred mountains. There is only one path up the cliff face to the Summoning site. If Genno wishes to call on the Harbinger, he must get through us first.”

I blinked rapidly. “Thank you, Kiyomi-sama.”

Her eyes softened, and for just a moment, her hand rose to gently touch my cheek, a wistful shadow crossing her face. “You are a stranger to me,” she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. “I would have liked to know you. Perhaps later, when this is all over, we can fill in the years we have lost.”

“I’d like that.”

She nodded. “Go, then,” she said, gesturing back over the bridge. “Return to your friends if you wish. I will send word to my people and all parties involved, telling them of my decision. Sleep tonight, Yumeko-san. Rest while you are able, for tomorrow we march to war.”

I bowed to the daimyo and started to turn away, but paused when I heard her voice again.

“And, Yumeko-san,” Kiyomi-sama added, “that half-demon who followed you into the palace. He will not be a threat to my people, will he?”

My stomach twisted, and I shook my head. “No, Kiyomi-sama.”

“Good.” The daimyo gave a solemn nod. “As long as you vouch for him, I will not put him under guard. But his presence has made the kami very nervous, so please bear that in mind.” She raised her sleeve in a gesture of farewell. “I will see you and your companions tomorrow, Yumeko-san, and we will prepare to confront the Master of Demons. Oyasuminasai.”

“Good night,” I repeated softly and gave a final bow before turning and walking back over the bridge. A servant waited on the other side, and I followed her into the palace, feeling the eyes of Kiyomi-sama on my back the entire way.

13

For Sake and Memories

Suki

Suki didn’t particularly like spying, but as a ghost, there seemed to be little else she could do. She didn’t want to reveal herself to everyone in the palace; even if yurei were tolerated here, there might be some that would react poorly to a strange spirit appearing out of nowhere. Regardless, it wasn’t in Suki’s nature to be seen. In life, attracting attention had been dangerous and something she’d avoided. She was used to fading into the background, becoming invisible and unimportant. It was even easier now that she was a ghost.

So she trailed Daisuke-sama invisibly through the hallways of the Moon Clan Palace, watching as various nobles stopped to talk to him, curious, she guessed, about a Taiyo in their midst. Or perhaps drawn to Daisuke-sama’s beauty and kindness, as she had been, so long ago it seemed. As ever, the Taiyo noble was poised and gracious, though Suki thought he seemed a bit distracted tonight.

“There is a chill in the air surrounding you, Taiyo-san,” one noble commented, peering over Daisuke’s shoulder to where Suki hovered, unseen. “I think you might have attracted the attention of a yurei.”

Suki jerked up, eyes widening, but Daisuke only smiled. “Oh? Is it something I should worry about?”

“Not necessarily.” The other noble waved an airy hand. “There are always kami and spirits about, and from time to time, we do see ghosts drifting through the palace or in the city. They’re not usually troublesome, but if you find yourself being haunted or harassed, there are many priests and shrine maidens here who can exorcise them. Kiyomi-sama herself is quite adept at convincing restless spirits to move on.”

“Thank you,” Daisuke said with a small bow. “I will remember that, but I fear I must retire. It has been a long journey.”

“Of course, Taiyo-san.” The other noble returned the bow, smiling. “Welcome to Tsuki lands. Oh, and do not be alarmed if you see kodama in your room, they are everywhere. Do not insult them, and they will leave on their own.”

Daisuke murmured a reply and turned to the patiently waiting servant, indicating he was ready to continue. Suki followed, but at a greater distance than before, suddenly nervous that the Taiyo could sense her presence. But the noble walked steadily down the halls without pause, giving no indication that he thought anything was amiss. When the servant showed him to his guest quarters and departed, Suki floated through the wall and found Daisuke standing in a simple but elegant room, gazing around as if expecting to see someone.

“Are you here, Suki-san?” he asked quietly.

Suki was stunned for only a moment. Of course Daisuke-sama would guess that she was here. He might’ve even sensed her presence in the great hall. She hesitated, then shimmered into view, earning a raised brow and a sad smile from the noble.

“Still haunting me,” he murmured. “Even here, on the islands of the Moon Clan, it seems I cannot escape my past.”

Walking to the back of the room, he slid open a panel, revealing a veranda overlooking a small garden, flowered shrubs and stone lanterns surrounding a small pond. Suki drifted after him, watching as he leaned his elbows on the railing and gazed into the water, his face unreadable.

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