Beware the readability of plans

I assumed the stranger in Shizuka's memory was the one they called Yor, Yua's brother, and that he had paid for Toshi's freedom since the child had clearly had the chance to grow up into a relatively healthy young lady.

That didn't mean I wasn't annoyed by the memory's abrupt ending.

How else would I know if I was right? I didn't want to ask Toshi about her traumatic past nor had I met Yor. Tatsu was here with me so I could have asked him. But he had just indirectly confessed to having feelings for Shizuka and I had already let him down as kindly as possible with the limited knowledge of their relationship that I had.

“I'm sorry,” he said after catching a glimpse of my expression. “After everything that's happened since you came here, the last thing you probably want to deal with is someone else's one sided feelings.”

“Dealing with people's feelings is part of being alive,” I replied. “And, if it makes you feel better, I think it's clear I didn't hate you in the past.”

“I didn't think you did,” he said softly, looking down at the ground through his knees.

“Oh, that's good.” I cleared my throat just as Kohaku called out to us.

“I think we're good to go!”

“I'm glad to hear that,” called back Uchi from behind us. “Because I think I'm good to be by myself again for a long time.”

Wow. Savage or what? I knew she had heard at least the last part of our conversation as I stood up to say goodbye and wondered whether I should pretend to care about that. Tatsu kept a straight face but his crimson tipped ears gave him away as he bowed to her.

“You're welcome to come with us,” he said.

“Do you think a witch's garden has the power to look after itself, child?” she huffed.

“You don't have to come for a long time. Just until –” He paused. “I could fly you back here as soon as you need me to.”

“If I stay here, I won't need that at all,” she replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Besides you all have yet to decide whether Shizuka's return is going to be shared with the rest of Nippo or not. If I come back with you, everyone will believe Ras is telling the truth and you won't have a choice.”

He didn't look happy about her decision but kept quiet as he straightened up.

“You're right,” he said. “But once this is all sorted, you're welcome to visit us. Send me a message if you want a ride.”

“I'm too old to go spinning in the clouds with a dragon, no matter how sensible he is,” she said, turning to me. “Don't go disappearing on him again, you hear?”

“That's not part of my plans.” I laughed until her hand landed on my shoulder and her gaze seemed to suck out my soul.

“Beware the readability of plans, child,” she said. “Never forget that the most dangerous mind is not just the sharpest but the most unpredictable one.”

“I won't,” I replied, holding her stare even as it made my heart quiver.

The warning was clear enough but I couldn't work out exactly what had prompted it. She could speak to spirits and find lost souls in the limbo of this world. Was she also a mind reader? Or maybe a clairvoyant?

“Good.” She handed Tatsuya the herbal-scented bundle that had been resting by her feet. “I know I don't have to ask you to look after her.”

He nodded and looked down at the supplies wrapped in maroon cloth instead of at her face, both warm and cold emotions radiating from him simultaneously. Talk about mixed feelings.

“Now get out of here.” She started walking back towards her house. “And tell your brother to come for Yua.”

“Has Yua always been unable to walk?” I murmured as we headed towards the wagon.

“Not always,” replied Tatsuya, waving at Washi with his free hand until he caught the other's attention. “There was an accident when she was younger.”

“Is that when Yor came to find me?” I asked.

“You remember?” His expression brightened slightly and I found another reason to regret my deception.

“Only a little bit.” The words were barely out of my mouth before the next flashback hit.

“I'm sorry,” I said, covering up the deep purplish scar that marred her lower back with her duvet. I placed my cramped up hands back in my lap and shook my head at the older girl lying prone on the bed as she turned her face towards me. “It happened too long ago and your body has already healed around the wound.”

The faint glimmer of hope in her pale turquoise eyes faded and I didn't know what to say to make up for her loss. Nor could I look at her brother, who sat further down beside her on the mattress. Would he send Toshiko back to her abusive father? Would he punish me for wasting his time?

“If I'd been there as soon as it happened, I might have been able to fix it but, with the way it is now, even Uchi would –” She placed a hand on my own and silence me without words.

“You tried your best,” she said with a pained smile. “I can tell. This isn't your fault.”

“But we had a deal.” I still couldn't look at Yor as he helped his sister up into a sitting position against the light blue wall and arranging her legs over the edge of the bed, making sure she was all covered up. “I promise to take any punishment you want. All that I ask is that you spare the others.”

“Others?” Yua looked at her brother.

“I bought a child in Outer Town,” he replied, displeasure momentarily hardening his features. “It didn't look like her father would leave any of them alone until he was happy enough with the money I offered for her. Shizuka's friend was with her at the time.”

They both spoke so well, their conversation flowing like the Silver River just beyond the village walls, and their expressions seemed so animated despite the calm air that they both had. Inner Town was considerably more peaceful than Outer Town, untouched by the chaos that encircled it. Wind pushed through the blue silk curtains, brining with it quiet murmurs from the street below, and filling the wide room with a delightful coolness that seemed magnified by its tiles and blue, green, and white colour scheme.

“I fail to see how you didn't uphold your end of the deal, Shizuka,” said Yua. “My brother asked you to heal me if you could. We won't hold you – or any of your friends – responsible for being unable to do something beyond your capabilities.”

But she had been so keen to walk again. Her hunger for independence was as fierce as my thirst for knowledge, and even though she had been so kind about it so far, it must have been devastating to finally close the door to a future she would never be able to experience.

“Is there anything else you would ask of me instead?” I insisted, my heartbeat speeding up as I waited for her answer. “I could prepare a remedy for the pain to get you through flare ups. Or maybe my mentor would be able to –”

This time it was Yor who leaned forward and patted my forearm, tilting his head so that I could see his wide smile.

“You don't owe us anything, Shizuka,” he said. “I heard about your skills and that's why I came to find you just in case there was a chance you could help Yua. Our doctors already told us years ago that she would never walk again but we were just too stubborn to accept it. So don't cry.”

He brushed the back of his forefinger beneath my left eye and I dabbed my face with my sleeve to remove any lingering moisture there, biting my lip hard.

“If I could have you do anything for me, Shizuka,” said his sister. “I would ask that you visit me again.”

“Me?” My stomach tightened. “Why would you want that?”

“I have Yor but he can't be here all the time, no matter how much he might want to be,” she explained, placing a hand against the side of her brother's head as if she were about to shove it and he groaned softly. “I don't want to stop him from living his own life but it can get lonely here in this big room. So, if it's not too much trouble, could you visit me every now and then?”

“Is that really enough?” I asked. They both nodded.

“It would be more than enough,” she replied. “And you're welcome to bring your friends with you.”

“But we're all from Outer Town,” I reminded them. Uncertainty trickled with acid over my insides. “Is that okay?”

“Why wouldn't it be?” Her eyes twinkled with a new light, one that no disappointment could ever smother, and I understood just how strong a person she was right then. “I'll send Yor to guide you back here but feel free to find your own way if you'd like.”

“I will.” I stood up and bowed deeply at the waist, hands tucked into opposite sleeves. “Thank you, Yua.”

“Thank you too, Shizuka.” She nodded at me and then at the door. “Yor will escort you through the gates.”

“I know how to get back home from here,” I said quickly. “Please don't bother yourselves.”

“But the guards –” he began but I fled before he could follow me.

The white building and ocean-coloured buildings gave way to light brown and red houses, and I reached the smaller wall that divided Inner Town from its surrounding counterpart faster than I thought I would. I waited until I could find a spot completely out of sight and made sure there was no one around to see me first. Then I transformed into a white phoenix and flew over the wall, heading straight for the Spiritless Tree.

Leaving a trail of earthbound tears behind me.