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  “Yes, Tonbo san.” Reiju’s voice was soft and shy. “Thank you.”

  “Chiri will be able to heal you once we find a quiet place.”

  The others had drawn slightly ahead. Tonbo hoisted the girl higher up onto his back and hurried after them – up, up the side of a great green hill and on into Lord Ishigi’s gardens.

  Chapter 2

  The local Ishigi mansion had tasteful gardens, excellent décor and a perfect view across the river towards the island shrine. The screens had been opened to catch the river breeze, and the main hall decorated with flowers. Lanterns hung in the eaves, ready for the evening festival. Out in the gardens, several archers were practicing their art, while little boats trailed slowly up close to the shore.

  The hall was filled with laughter and high spirits. The Spirit Hunters and priestess Reiju had been regaled with an excellent lunch, fine sakē and fine wine. In return, Sura regaled the Ishigi samurai with stories of her colourful teenage years at Fox Mountain.

  A dozen samurai shared the feast, hoisting sakē cups. Laughing maids travelled back and forth, bringing yet more noodles to Tonbo, fried pheasant and pork for Sura, and drinks for one and all. Sura was at her very best, eating and drinking as she talked, surrounded by listeners and revelling in her tales. She was always willing to appear perfectly ridiculous in her own stories – part of the elemental charm of a true fox. Sura leaned forward, waving a pheasant leg about, one hand on the senior Ishigi samurai’s arm. Her fangs flashed in her long muzzle as she laughed.

  “Alright, alright! So the magic instructor, she never wore underwear! She said it ruined the lines of her kimono.” Sura mimicked the voice of a sultry middle aged matron, expressively wriggling her own hips. “Oh – and she was always in her human aspect! She said fur made her look too fat! Awful woman! So anyway, one night we were put on punishment for swiping some crayfish from the kitchens…”

  Reiju was blushing again, with one hand to her blazing cheek. “Um – you were on punishment, Sura san!”

  “Well Reiju helped me do the chores! So I put up a sign closing down the wooden floored main hall, saying we’d found termites. Then we polished the black marble floor in the main shrine until it shone like a mirror!” Sura leaned eagerly forward. “So next day, this instructress comes to give this great speech to all these young priests and samurai. Fifty students, a dozen apprentices from the human fiefs – the son of the wolf clan ambassador… And so they kneel, they bow – and what do they see a perfect reflection of? This instructress’ gleaming, bare…

  “… Bare intentions.” Reiju bowed and laughed. “Sura – it was your masterpiece.”

  The Ishigi samurai and their guests all laughed. The fox acknowledged their acclaim by seizing the last dumpling from the lunch platters and snapping it down.

  The doors to the hall slid open. Two pages came in, kneeling in attendance, and then Lord Ishigi himself entered the room.

  The lord was in fine spirits. He was a warm, roguish man with a ferocious moustache and a calculating eye. The man swept into the room attended by a secretary, two armoured bodyguards and a pair of cheerful maids. The Spirit Hunters, samurai and guests all bowed. Lord Ishigi opened up his arms in delight, sweeping forward to greet Sura and her friends.

  “Spirit Hunters! Kitsune Sura – Asodo Kuno. Tsunetomo Tonbo and my dear Nezumi Chiri. It is a pleasure to have you cross my path again.”

  Kuno gave a formal bow, moving with crisp, martial elegance.

  “My lord – you honour us too deeply.”

  “I hear of your adventures from time to time. Wonderful! Most edifying.” Lord Ishigi wryly eyed the empty plates surrounding Kitsune Sura. “And life on the road can apparently be harsh.”

  The lord sat himself down upon a raised layer of tatami mats. The concubines sat silkily down and served Lord Ishigi an excellent sakē. He raised his cup.

  “This is an old, old clan – kin to the emperors. Once, we were the greatest in the land. Now we have but a shadow of former glory. But a love of the mysterious and a respect for the unknown will always be with us.” Lord Ishigi made sure that everyone’s cups were filled.

  “To surprises! May they be lively, and dealt with happily!”

  The assembled guests drank. Sura immediately poured drinks for those around her, and bowed over her cup to her host.

  “Ten thousand years to Lord Ishigi!” The fox’s sly green eyes glittered. “May his opponents be dastardly and clever – but never quite clever enough.”

  Lord Ishigi laughed heartily. He raised his cup and looked eye-to-eye with Sura. They drank to one another, and then bowed.

  The other guests were soon all called away to their other duties. Lord Ishigi came down from his little dais and settled himself at ease upon the balcony, where the river breeze blew softly and the view looked out along the great, silver snaking ribbon of the river. He invited Kuno and Chiri to sit beside him, and he chatted with them both in delight. Daitanishi came to sit beside the man and look him cautiously up and down. Lord Ishigi pointed out some of the river sites, telling stories from centuries long past. He asked Chiri some insightful question about elementals and the shugenja’s art, leaning in to listen with great attention.

  Sura sat herself by the balcony railings with Reiju, taking possession of a pot of cold fruit tea. They watched Lord Ishigi listening in fascination to Kuno’s account of a ghost, and smiled.

  Reiju was quietly amazed.

  “Our temple is the greatest in Lord Ishigi’s fief, but until today, I had only seen him from a distance. He is a nice man. How generous of him to invite you here!”

  Sura lounged back, her long tail swishing thoughtfully behind her.

  “He is a sly one, our Lord Ishigi. Not quite all smiles.”

  The fox stroked at her whiskers, seeing that Reiju was confused.

  “Ishigi Sama had as much craving to have an exorcist beneath his roof tonight as those shady villagers. He merely made his invitation more… carefully.” Sura rolled her sly gaze across Lord Ishigi. “He is a rogue – and at times he has been a very bad boy.”

  Sura excused herself for a moment. She arose and crossed over to Lord Ishigi. The fox greeted his lordship, with her long, elegant tail shimmering beautifully behind her as she bowed.

  “My lord? If you will pardon this humble reibai’s interference, perhaps I might tour your town house to assist your preparations for the night of the dead?”

  Lord Ishigi looked utterly delighted by the suggestion, as if the thought had never occurred to him.

  “Oh! That is most generous, Kitsune Sura. But surely there is no need to trouble yourself.”

  “No no no no! I will feel better for knowing that all is well.” The fox gave a bow. “It is the least I can do for so generous a host.”

  “Well then, certainly, reibai! If you absolutely insist.”

  They understood each other perfectly. Sura arose and found a friendly Ishigi samurai, asking him if he could show her to the household eaves, gates, doors and altars. Sura found herself assisted by an entire detail of men eager to carry her papers, inks, spear and seals. Lord Ishigi rubbed his hands together in satisfaction.

  A young page flitted in from the house, knelt and bowed to Lord Ishigi, then whispered quietly in his master’s ear. The lord nodded thoughtfully, and arose to take his leave.

  “Business! The fief is old, and a shadow of its former glory – but it is a demanding mistress.” Lord Ishigi put out his hand, and a page handed him his sword. “Please all of you – enjoy the pleasures of the house! I shall hope to see you again at the festival.”

  Kuno, Tonbo, Chiri and Reiju all gave a respectful bow. Lord Ishigi strode off, hastening away to his affairs. His few moments of peace were over.

  Left alone upon the balcony, the remaining group set aside their teacups. It was an exceptionally beautiful old garden, and the air beyond the walls was still echoing with the sound of markets in the town.

  Chiri put out her hand. Bifuuko clambered
down from her hair, and the rat spirit gently groomed and stroked the little creature. She peered out into the gardens, where she could see Sura carefully placing fu papers beside the gates. The rat spirit caressed her elemental, and looked off towards the town.

  “Do you think we shall have many problems with ghosts tonight, Reiju san? Are disturbances common?”

  “Frights happen – most certainly. Though who knows whether these are actual apparitions or merely pangs of conscience?” Reiju watched Sura at work. The fox was moving carefully along the entire property boundary, waving a fan to blow incense onto the palisades. “However – we are clearly in good hands.”

  “Oh – the very best.” Chiri nodded. “The very best.”

  As sunset came, the tall, steep walls of the river gorge turned smoky blue with shadows. The river gleamed, wavering off into the distance, shimmering with the red light of the sinking sun.

  Reiju sat upon the mansion’s balcony, busily at work. She had constructed a large and beautifully folded paper boat – complete with banners, masts and sails. Her fine, quiet face was alive with concentration as she carefully folded little paper figures to serve as its crew. She had fashioned a rat, and a fox, as well as a little samurai. She reached out for more paper and carefully stroked it smooth, working with calm, unconscious grace.

  Tonbo came softly out onto the balcony, carrying a handful of stiff, coloured papers. He came and delivered them quietly to Reiju, then sank down beside her, looking at her work in glad fascination. He bobbed down to look along the smooth lines of the boat.

  “Reiju san – this is beautiful.”

  The priestess looked up and gave a quiet smile.

  “This is the boat I shall release onto the waters tonight. It carries the best wishes of myself and my friends to guide the little spirits back to their home.” She arrayed her origami fox, rat and samurai beside the boat. “They shall have the best of guides. I have added a Nezumi and a Kitsune – and Kuno san. I am now working upon a samurai of great stature.” The girl frowned at the half folded piece of paper in front of her. “It is hard to get the scowl…”

  Tonbo smiled. Reiju seemed to radiate a delightful sense of gentleness. Tonbo sat down beside her. He motioned towards the pile of papers and gave a little bow.

  “With your permission?”

  “Oh!” The priestess placed the papers in easy reach of Tonbo’s hands. “You are an origamika, Tonbo san?”

  “A little. When things move me.”

  They sat together in quiet harmony, both carefully folding paper. Tonbo moved with his customary delicacy, deftly flipping and turning his paper, working at a precise little model. Folding happily away beside him, Reiju watched Tonbo from the corner of her eye. She blushed shyly as he caught her glancing in his direction.

  Reiju tilted her head and looked thoughtfully at her companion.

  “We have met before, Tonbo san.”

  “We have met before.” Tonbo’s voice was filled with fondness. “You were stealing chestnuts from the trees at Kitsune castle, and I caught you as you fell.”

  Reiju was quite astonished: the memory came flooding back, strong and clear.

  “I never thanked you! I was so scared, I ran like a hare!” Reiju gave a bow filled with love. “This hare thanks you, Tonbo san.”

  “You are more than welcome.” Tonbo smiled. “They were extremely good chestnuts.”

  Reiju completed her paper model. It was a samurai – larger than the rest – with a long thorny club. She held it up, quite pleased with it, turning the figure this way and that in the light of sunset.

  “Here. A fearless heart to guide the boat upon its way.”

  Tonbo placed his own creation on the boat: an origami saint clearly modelled upon Reiju.

  “And here. A kind soul to tend the lantern in the dark.”

  He settled the two figures side by side. Reiju pulled back her hair, looked at the figures upon her ship, and smiled.

  Kitsune Sura had laboured through the afternoon, painting spell papers and fumigating the Ishigi mansion. She had finished in time to rest before the evening festival. The fox came walking up from the gardens with a basket containing cold tea, sliced fruit and a handful of rice cakes. Sura mounted the steps from the garden, and came up into the shadows of the balcony.

  She saw Tonbo and Reiju sitting together, shyly talking and reminiscing. The fox faltered, then drew back into the shadows.

  They were utterly in a world of their own, quietly enjoying one another.

  Sura’s face slowly fell. Deflated and feeling a little hollow, she withdrew quietly away.

  As the last purple streaks of sunlight faded from the sky, the townsfolk lit the lanterns outside their homes. Little tables had been set up outside of every home. They were laden with small offerings – rice, sakē, written prayers and little paper figures. Families – all dressed in their sober best – prayed solemnly at the altars. They then flowed down the streets towards the river, carrying beautiful paper lanterns to light their way.

  In one of the little market squares, Sura spoke quietly to bereaved families, telling them of the Realm of Honoured Dead. She prayed and then reverently took up her spear, sweeping it almost gently across empty air to make a slight window into the other realm. The strange light from the Realm of the Honoured Dead spilled out into the street, and the gathered families stared at it in wonder. When the window closed a minute later, the grieving all seemed to have found a measure of real peace.

  The peaceful river glimmered beneath a marvellous blaze of stars. Lanterns lit the shores of the great temple island – from the crags of its rocky peak, and from its temple walls. Little boats drifted on the water, shining with light. A thousand lanterns dotted the shores as the people came down to the cool, dark riverbanks.

  Dressed in layered robes of gauze and wearing a golden formal cap, Reiju led a procession of priests and shrine maidens forward to the river. Bells rang, and the maidens danced gracefully at the river’s edge holding boughs of evergreen.

  Finally Reiju came forward as the great bell of the island temple rang. She formally tied back her sleeves and waded into the river. Lanterns were lit aboard her great paper boat, and she released it quietly out into the stream.

  All along the river, hundreds of townsfolk, samurai and peasants released their own paper boats – each one carrying a lantern. Countless beautiful little lights began drifting off, off into the darkness. The water shone golden with reflected light, shimmering and glittering. The river became a moving ribbon of stars.

  Reiju came dripping from the river, handing her outer layers of gauze to her attendants, and putting on new white outer robes. Tonbo came to stand with her on the shore, and they watched the lights flowing slowly off along the river – on into the gorge between high cliffs and deep, dark woods. They spoke quietly together – the whole town was hushed, watching the lights upon the water.

  Sura watched Tonbo and Reiju from afar, feeling a sick little pull of loss. She turned away and walked off along the shore, finally finding a place to sit and watch the lanterns on the stream.

  Daitanishi came floating along in mid-air – apparently unimpressed by the lanterns. He hovered for a moment, and then disappeared. He returned long minutes later, bringing Chiri walking quietly in his wake.

  Chiri sat down beside Sura – sensing that something was wrong, but unable to define it. She sat in embarrassment for a moment, feeling the silence stretch. Daitanishi nudged at her, so the beautiful white rat spirit softly cleared her throat.

  “The boats are beautiful.” The rat bit her lip.

  “Is everything alright, friend Sura?”

  The fox simply felt sad.

  “I feel… I feel adrift.”

  Chiri put an arm about Sura, and nestled with her in silence. The two friends sat together, looking out over the great, dark river. The lantern lights drifted slowly away, and then finally the lights were gone.

  Chapter 3

  Morning had come brigh
t and clear to the river valley. Ducks and water fowl clattered their wings as they meandered up and down the little creeks, while out in the great, broad river, the first fishing boats rowed their way laboriously upstream. The temple island stirred with life, with red tori gates and banners gleaming in the summer sun.

  Kitsune Sura lay out on the balcony of the Ishigi mansion. She still wore her clothing from the night before. She was in her human form: her long hair trailed down across the floorboards beside her. An untouched tray of breakfast sat at her side. Sura slumped on her belly, utterly forlorn, feeding little fragments of rice cake to a trail of ants.

  An Ishigi samurai came running grimly through the garden, heading straight towards the guest rooms. He was one of the men from yesterday’s lunch party – now direly agitated. Sura lifted up her head, instantly alert. She rose up, spear in hand, and waved.

  “Samurai san! Over here.”

  The samurai caught sight of Sura and changed direction, running straight up onto the balcony and dropping down to kneel. The man kept his eyes respectfully downcast.

  “Priestess! I am Arima Nobofusa.” The man briskly bowed. “There has been a death in the town. Evil spirits have struck! The lord requests that you assist in investigating the matter.”

  Sura gave a sharp, efficient bow.

  “At once, Arima san.”