Chapter 44

Kaede and Yurika had both awakened early that morning, with the dual tasks of heading up to the mountain’s peak as well as finding Gakuto. While they were eating, Kaede went over the dream, or rather, message she got from Kagura.

Yurika listened in full, before speaking when it seemed Kaede was done. “So, that aligns with our plan to go to the Princess’ shrine first.” The island girl was leaning back in her chair, her foot bouncing anxiously while the oiran finished her meal.

Both girls were feeling the pressure of the clock now and, with the unease they felt at the Secluded Shrine, their apprehension was high. Yukiko hadn’t helped, still complaining about Gakuto’s unexplained absence though she seemed to have bonded with the Hound overnight, tossing him scraps.

Kaede finished eating and both girls hurried up the stairs, to change for their longest excursion yet.

The duo had become a trio once more, with the dog-form of The Hound following at their heels. They had changed into somewhat matching outfits, with Kaede in dark blue andon bakama and the hakamashita to match, a pattern of a serpentine dragon coiling around her torso. Yurika’s ensemble was a lighter blue, but the pattern on hers was of the Great Serpent, wound around her torso in the opposite direction as Kaede’s dragon.

Her kodachi, as well as the orb lantern, were back on her waist and hip. Kaede’s bundle was back across her torso, but she now carried Gakuto’s unsheathed jian, intending to return it when they found him. She also had the trinkets from the matsuri stowed away in the pouch on her waist: the kinusan and the kiseru, while the hairpin was tucked into her ponytail.

Something about carrying those familiar items was soothing, but Kaede’s unease was still constricting.

“I see you’re getting used to domesticated life.” Yurika said, half-jovially but the oiran could feel the tension her friend was trying to contain.

“There is something nice about having someone feed you consistently…” The Hound responded before shaking his head.

“I mean, I guess you’re used to being someone’s pet…”

“I am no one’s pet!”

“Hm… are you sure about that?”

The Hound glared up at Yurika and Kaede let out a slight giggle as they reached the outskirts of the village. He started like he was going to say something more, but thought better of it, the anxious energy from the two girls worrying him.

Yurika took the lead once more as the trio started up the slope of Mt. Ochiru. The plan was to bypass the Secluded Shrine on the way up, heading for the Moon Princess’ Shrine first to talk to Master Ieyasu about the mirror there. 

In theory, this would be the easiest of the trio. Unlike the missing and hidden mirrors of the other two shrines, the mirror at the peak was on display for all to behold.

There wasn’t much chatter between Yurika, Kaede and their dog-shaped companion as they ascended the first two bends of the mountain pass, on approach to the gouge from prior day’s rockslide.

The villagers had erected a rope barricade around it overnight and that made traversal much less precarious than when the three had descended the evening before. A lanky figure, with long orange-red hair stood with their back facing the gorge.

Kaede’s eyes widened, recognizing the man. “Kitsuya-san!?”

The lanky man turned, the smirk on his face softening to a friendly smile upon seeing the young oiran. “So this is where you got off to, Kaede-chan?”

Kaede started to step towards him but The Hound, still in dog form, was biting into the young girl’s hakama, trying to prevent her from going closer. She looked down to object but a young emotionless voice came from above.

“The wild fox is not to be so easily trusted, Kaede.”

The girl with white hair and red irises was sitting on the edge of the pass above, kicking her feet as she gazed down at the young oiran.

“You’re the girl from the matsuri!” Kaede cried out, as The Hound released his grip, silently shifting into his shadow form.

Yurika looked from the young girl above them to the wiry man in front of them, her hand slowly going to the hilt of her blade.

“Come now, Kaede-chan, you already know me. You know you can trust me.” Kitsuya said, extending his hand. “Let’s go find Gakuto and I can take you two back to the palace!”

Kaede stayed anchored in place, questions swirling around her mind between the appearance of one of the members of the Divine Trio and the mysterious girl from the matsuri.

“If he were truly here for you two, why is he up on this pass instead of in the village?” The Hound’s whisper snapped Kaede out of her daze. The oiran found herself nodding slightly to the shadow’s words, taking a step back. Yurika gripped her blade tightly, still not drawing but ever more vigilant.

“Besides, Kaede…” The Hound’s whisper reached only her and Yurika’s ears.

“...why does he have the scent of blood on him?”