Peace

Glitter, sand, cars, marbles.

All were valid options to annihilate my enemy, but which one should I try first?

Water guns, bouncy balls, dancing dolls.

My sweet doll was upset, yet even sad she shined brighter than the glitter I now held. It wasn’t worth dwelling on as I flung it at the despicable manchild at my feet. He saw my movement, getting out of the way before the shine could stick. I tsk’d as they exploded with no casualties. I was going to make him pay for every one of her tears.

Shove a building block down his throat and—

His hammer glinted as he swung it, smacking one of the lanterns illuminating the area. As the lamp flew towards me, watermelon burst from the hammer. I would have been slammed if Kyouko hadn’t teleported us away. It took me a moment to get my bearings, fighting off the slight nausea that came with the jump. Then my eyes fell on my Kitsune, now right in front of us, and gingerly picked her up.

Her fluff was ruffled, small cuts I couldn’t see before dotting it. Her front was drenched in fruit juice. My rage skyrocketed as she whimpered at my touch. What had they done to her?

Choke him with a yo-yo. Make him—

“You bastard,” came his grating voice, “Stop hiding behind the Teleporter and fight me!”

If a fight was all he wanted, I was more than happy to oblige. Cuddling Kit in one hand, I let colors swim through my mind, mixing and melding into beautiful shades. As Kyouko gathered the others, I released my marbles. I delighted in seeing them grow, crushing the sustenance empire Azzie had created. Though I didn’t get to enjoy the revenge for long as Kyouko took us all away.

The nausea came back with a vengeance as we landed near the cave. It was awfully bright for the middle of the night, but that didn’t matter to me as I pet Kit. I had so many things to ask her. Was she alright? Why hadn’t the tears stopped? What could I do to make her pain go away?

“Shhh,” I said over her whimpers. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

“Holy shit.”

I looked up at Shuto’s voice, noting his wide eyes, the shine of light reflecting on him. Except it was usually dark around this time, with almost everyone having gone asleep. Following his gaze, I gasped at the sheer number of people surrounding the area. Had the rebels taken another shot at us while we were gone? Fuck, had we just walked into an ambush?

“There you all are.” Commander Takeshi grinned. “About time we caught up.”

The commander’s tent was quiet, the perfect place to process everything. I hadn’t the slightest idea on how to help Kit, who still wasn’t smiling. I’d tried everything: lucky cats, tickling, and even Ballerina Ben. He was twirling nearby as my turmoil grew, thankfully away from anything flammable this time.

Shit, how could I help my Kit? I would have given anything to see her beaming grin. A giggle would bubble out as she soared in front of me, a silly expression washing over her face. I would whisper at her to be careful since that wasn’t professional, before remembering no one could see her. It was the story of many of our days at the toy shop, and I longed for those days more than ever.

“I heard you’ve been busy,” said the commander as he walked in.

He was no longer the slightest bit scary to me. Once you’ve seen falling food and slicing Searchers, allies were more welcome than intimidating. I knew I would have to fight again, regardless of how Kit felt, but I truly wished I didn’t have to. For just a little while, I longed for the time to help her. But this was war, and minutes could prove precious.

“Yes, sir,” I said, head held high.

“I have to thank you,” he continued. “From what I hear, your strategies are the reason I still have a newbie troop.”

“You speak too highly of me,” I replied. “I just did what every soldier would.”

Or what they should have done, anyway. If I ever got my hands on the Fibermental who had taken Kit, they would fucking pay. I could drench their plants in water, letting them perish at my will. Or maybe I could let Ben hold a recital on the leaves. It would serve her right for bringing someone as sweet as Kit into the heart of danger.

The commander leaned down to my bent arms, where Kit still lay unmoving. “You must be the Kitsune I’ve heard so much about.”

Part of me wanted to pull her away from him, to shield her from even my commanding officer. Then she turned, her eyes blinking up at him, sorrow in their depths. From the way his eyes widened, it looked like he saw it now too. I didn’t know how I expected him to react. Many people jumped in shock at her, or judged her existence as ‘unnatural’---though that one was quite rare. Commander Takeshi, however, just smiled softly at her, one finger stretching out for her to touch and, to my surprise, she did.

“You appear tired, little one,” he said. “I think you could use this just as much as him.”

I frowned. What was he talking about?

“I received a message the other day,” he began. “With all the uncertainty of this war, the general public is becoming more and more restless.”

“There is an orphanage on the outskirts of Kyoto,” he continued. “Many children of those lost in that first attack are there now. I think they could use a little joy.”

He looked at Kitsune, then back at me. “And I think you two need the time off.”

Perhaps I should have been shocked with the order. I mean, we had just done a major blow to the rebels, so why weren’t we capitalizing on that advantage? Then again, this was the perfect opportunity to figure out what was wrong with Kit. I could remind her about the things that make her happiest, what she loved most. But, on the other hand, Windall was still out there, and I didn’t want him coming after her again. It just wasn’t safe yet.

“Sir.” I stood straighter. “I believe we are still needed here. We have to stop them while we’re ahead.”

“There is more than one way to lend a hand, Riku,” he replied.

“But—”

“Hoshino Riku,” he snapped, “You have given us plenty. Without your service, that orphanage would have even more children to tend to. It will at least be a few days before the rebels can regroup after your little show.”

I relaxed my shoulders. No matter how determined I was to protect my Kit, I realized that we had both reached our limit. Part of me wanted to march out and personally take them down, but another piece was so damn grateful for the reprieve. In truth, I was tired of the blood, the sorrow, the memories. And if I saw one more orange, I was going to fucking lose it.

The commander smiled as I took my leave, eyes glinting as he gave me a final message.

“Enjoy your vacation, Riku. You’ve more than earned it.”