might or might not be Sanae sighed. Oh, I suppose I need to explain again. And put that spear down already!
Chapter Seven
Mamoru
“ — and that’s why I should go with Usagi,” Mamoru’s resident demon finished.
Yoshio made a thoughtful noise. “I agree.”
“You agree ?”
Mamoru couldn’t tell which of them, the human or the demon, was more surprised. When they shared the same emotion, as they did now, it was almost like they were the same person.
Yoshio’s eyebrows rose. “What is it? Your reasoning is sound. Ensuring proper backup is always prudent and you do need to test your adaptation to human society. I have no immediate need for your assistance, but I have a colleague in Kyoto who may have a use for you.”
At Mamoru’s urging, the demon bent their shared body in a deep bow. “I shall endeavor to make you proud.”
“I wouldn’t allow you to go if I believed otherwise. Do remember you’re on your own if you get caught.” It was spoken pleasantly, but Mamoru had the impression there was the hint of a thread underneath.
The demon retreated from the room with all haste, lest Yoshio find a reason to retract his approval.
I can’t believe he agreed, the demon told Mamoru, mind to mind. He said I was a liability, before, and threatened to end me. After a beat it amended, Us.
You’ve been learning fast. He must have decided you can be useful.
I do well because you help me.
I don’t want to be “ended” either , Mamoru said . But…I do wonder why he agreed. He’s plotting, that’s clear. His plans are probably dangerous to our survival and maybe Usagi’s, too.
I can protect her.
Mamoru said nothing—it was useless to argue with the love-sick—but his demon could probably sense his doubts anyway since they were in close mental proximity. It was easier to converse when they were in contact like this. It was the mental equivalent of casually leaning into each other, as friends might do to whisper in each other’s ears. They weren’t friends, but they were allies insofar as they both wanted to survive.
Usagi was in her room, gathering personal items—and a few small weapons—in a pile in the middle of the floor.
“Yoshio said yes!” the demon said as he rushed in.
“You really asked?” Usagi laughed, the sound free of condescension for once. “What a meddlesome boy you are.” Gathering her items in her arms, she rose to her feet. “You’d best pack quickly!”
There was a spring in her step as she went down the hallway.
They ate their last meal in the clan house alone, the two—three—of them.
The demon ate as it always did, in a picky manner. It had the same tastes as Mamoru when it came to food, but no inclination to eat less favored items. It had yet to experience hunger of strength capable of driving home the fact that eating was a survival necessity, not merely a pleasure of life. The pickled vegetables were therefore largely ignored in favor of the fragrant fish and rice. Dessert, a handful of seasonal chestnuts, seemed to vanish in thin air.
The food gone, they lingered over tea and went over their cover story.
“I am the lady Usagi, distant relative of Advisor Yoshida,” Usagi said. “The story is that he’s taken pity on his poor relatives’ daughter—me—and agreed to find her work in the capital in hope she might attract good prospects. I expect I’ll provide entertainment for important persons; I’ve had more than enough music lessons.”
“Who am I? Your servant?”
“Oh no, that wouldn’t be proper. You’re a minor family relation sent along as my escort and protector. We’re related through our mothers, who—”
A pair of older shinobi approached, one bending to murmur in Usagi’s ear and the other dropping a heavy hand on Mamoru’s shoulder. “Good luck,” he said curtly. “Make us proud.”
“I’ll try,” the demon said uncertainly.
Usagi watched the adults walk away. “They’re saying good luck to you and goodbye to
Chapter Seven
Mamoru
“ — and that’s why I should go with Usagi,” Mamoru’s resident demon finished.
Yoshio made a thoughtful noise. “I agree.”
“You agree ?”
Mamoru couldn’t tell which of them, the human or the demon, was more surprised. When they shared the same emotion, as they did now, it was almost like they were the same person.
Yoshio’s eyebrows rose. “What is it? Your reasoning is sound. Ensuring proper backup is always prudent and you do need to test your adaptation to human society. I have no immediate need for your assistance, but I have a colleague in Kyoto who may have a use for you.”
At Mamoru’s urging, the demon bent their shared body in a deep bow. “I shall endeavor to make you proud.”
“I wouldn’t allow you to go if I believed otherwise. Do remember you’re on your own if you get caught.” It was spoken pleasantly, but Mamoru had the impression there was the hint of a thread underneath.
The demon retreated from the room with all haste, lest Yoshio find a reason to retract his approval.
I can’t believe he agreed, the demon told Mamoru, mind to mind. He said I was a liability, before, and threatened to end me. After a beat it amended, Us.
You’ve been learning fast. He must have decided you can be useful.
I do well because you help me.
I don’t want to be “ended” either , Mamoru said . But…I do wonder why he agreed. He’s plotting, that’s clear. His plans are probably dangerous to our survival and maybe Usagi’s, too.
I can protect her.
Mamoru said nothing—it was useless to argue with the love-sick—but his demon could probably sense his doubts anyway since they were in close mental proximity. It was easier to converse when they were in contact like this. It was the mental equivalent of casually leaning into each other, as friends might do to whisper in each other’s ears. They weren’t friends, but they were allies insofar as they both wanted to survive.
Usagi was in her room, gathering personal items—and a few small weapons—in a pile in the middle of the floor.
“Yoshio said yes!” the demon said as he rushed in.
“You really asked?” Usagi laughed, the sound free of condescension for once. “What a meddlesome boy you are.” Gathering her items in her arms, she rose to her feet. “You’d best pack quickly!”
There was a spring in her step as she went down the hallway.
They ate their last meal in the clan house alone, the two—three—of them.
The demon ate as it always did, in a picky manner. It had the same tastes as Mamoru when it came to food, but no inclination to eat less favored items. It had yet to experience hunger of strength capable of driving home the fact that eating was a survival necessity, not merely a pleasure of life. The pickled vegetables were therefore largely ignored in favor of the fragrant fish and rice. Dessert, a handful of seasonal chestnuts, seemed to vanish in thin air.
The food gone, they lingered over tea and went over their cover story.
“I am the lady Usagi, distant relative of Advisor Yoshida,” Usagi said. “The story is that he’s taken pity on his poor relatives’ daughter—me—and agreed to find her work in the capital in hope she might attract good prospects. I expect I’ll provide entertainment for important persons; I’ve had more than enough music lessons.”
“Who am I? Your servant?”
“Oh no, that wouldn’t be proper. You’re a minor family relation sent along as my escort and protector. We’re related through our mothers, who—”
A pair of older shinobi approached, one bending to murmur in Usagi’s ear and the other dropping a heavy hand on Mamoru’s shoulder. “Good luck,” he said curtly. “Make us proud.”
“I’ll try,” the demon said uncertainly.
Usagi watched the adults walk away. “They’re saying good luck to you and goodbye to
Similar Books
