Haru

“This is far too fancy for me.” I stepped back out onto the terrace in the beautiful golden kimono the man had given me to wear.

“It is attire fitting a lady.” The blush from earlier still stained his cheeks as he explained why he made me change.

“Shorts are normal where I come from. When?” I considered it for a moment before gazing at the wolf by the man’s side. “And that is certainly not.”

The wolf growled, but the man chuckled. “Noroshi isn’t exactly normal here either. Most wolves can’t speak.”

“There aren’t even wolves in Japan anymore!”

“Of course there are wolves. But Noroshi is more of a protector. That’s why he knew when you entered the grounds.”

“A guard wolf. Awesome.”

“Milady, what is your name?” He took a step closer, and I gazed up at him.

I shouldn’t have to think about it this hard. “Tanaka Asahi. But please, just call me Asahi.”

He looked pained but nodded. “And you may call me Hoshihiko.”

“It was nice to meet you, but I’d love to get home.”

“Where is that?” he asked, his deep brown eyes alighting with curiosity.

“Not here.” I pressed on my head, trying to dull the building ache. “Where am I?”

“My home. We are at least a five days' journey from Kyoto, but the nearest village is only an hour’s trip on foot.”

“How did this even happen? Wait. Has this happened before?”

“I’ve seen many strange things, but none quite like this.”

“Will you help me get home?”

“Absolutely.” He smiled softly at me. “I know a kitsune who may be able to help us. I will offer a prayer first.”

"A kitsune," I muttered incredulously.

“You can come along if you’d like.”

“I think I’ll just wait here or take a walk.” Or try to figure out what's going on.

“Make sure you stay inside the borders of my land, or I won’t be able to protect you.” He bowed before turning away.

Glancing out into the spring air, I clutched the necklace around my throat, trying to remember the symbolism or sentimentality it held. What happened to me?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a streak of red through the trees.

What was that? Quickly looking behind me, I slid under the railing and picked up another branch. If the wolf shows up and chases me again, I’m going to be so pissed.

Just as I was about to turn around, I saw a figure up ahead.

“Hello?” I took a few steps closer and realized it was a woman in a crimson kimono leaning on a tree. “Are you okay?”

“Please,” she gasped out, clutching her side. “Help…”

I made my way quickly through the underbrush. But just before I made it to the injured woman, a chill ran down my arms.

“Do you know how powerful he is?” The woman whipped around completely, before shoving me into a nearby tree. I tried to swing my branch, but she knocked it from my hands.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” The woman’s face rippled as she pulled some rope from seemingly nowhere. “Do you know how long I’ve been trying to find a way to sneak in there? You’re perfect.”

She quickly tightened the cords around my wrists, and I winced.

“Let me go!” I kicked her hard, but she just faced me.

It was like looking into a mirror.

“What?” I whispered in disbelief.

“How cute! You’re surprised.” Her laugh was mine but harsher than I’d ever heard it.

Before I could even make a plan, she had looped rope around my legs. She threw the end of it into the tree before yanking harshly, upending me. “Up you go!” She quickly tied a gag then sent me higher.

Blood rushed to my head. How am I going to escape this one?

“See you soon!” she promised, skipping off into the forest. Even her blood red kimono had become golden.

Nice job, Asahi. You do the one thing he tells you not to. I shook my head as I twisted my wrist, the rope cutting into it. Before long, it was slick with blood, but I could squeeze my right arm free. I fumbled one-handedly for the knot behind my head. You need to warn Hoshihiko. I switched to attempting to release my other hand from the tangle of rope instead.

Even if I can untie my feet, how am I going to survive the fall?

With both hands, I finally got the gag off.

“Asahi!”

Someone’s calling me?

“Hoshihiko!” I yelled back, hoping that even if it wasn’t him, he’d hear my warning.

I swung slightly and saw his figure moving through the foliage.

“I’m up here!”

As soon as he saw me, he leaped, not pausing to climb. What? He gracefully landed on the branch above me.

“Even Fujin blesses me.” Pulling me up to where he was, he quickly untied my legs as blood flowed back into them.

“Ready?” he asked, tightening his arms around me.

“I’m not sure—” Before I could finish, we were landing softly on the ground.

He placed me down gently.

“Wait, the woman! She—” I glanced around the forest trying to find her while I explained.

“The tanuki? I took care of it. It’s been prowling around me for too long. I don’t know why it thought it could slip past me.” He shook his head and smiled. “But more importantly, are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you. I cut my wrist getting free, but luckily, I didn’t get any blood on your kimono.”

Worry filled his eyes. “Give me your wrist, please.”

I complied, and he slid the kimono sleeve up before wrapping his fingers around my injury.

I winced for a second as pain stabbed through me, but it dissipated in an instant. When he released me, my skin was clean and unmarred.

“There. Now let’s go home, Asahi.”