I woke the next morning with a bit of pain in my ankle. I grabbed a quick shower and went down stairs to talk to my mom, and asked her for pain pills. “Hey kit, thanks for ordering those dumplings were great. You’re limping.” Wow, she noticed.
“Yeah, I hurt my ankle yesterday.”
“I have something in my bag that might help with pain.”
“Thanks.”
“How’d this happen, and why didn’t you call me?”
“I just tripped over a rock and you’re a hard workin’ girl, I couldn’t call you at work.”
“You’re my baby girl. It would have been okay. Do you want to stay home today?”
“No, I can’t miss any days in that science, Miss Manami is just looking for a reason to fail me.”
“I’ll drive you to school so you don’t have to walk as much, do you know anyone that can bring you home?”
“No, but I’ll just go to Ami’s since it’s closer and then her mom can drive me here.”
“Alright, grab your shoes and get in the car. I want to leave soon.”
“’kay.”
This day of school was no fun at all. I had a pop quiz in nearly every single one of my classes and to top it all off, I think Taikineko was avoiding me. It’s not like I cared. It’s not like I like him or anything, and he doesn’t like me. Ami was crazy to say that. “Hey Ami, guess what?”
“What?”
“I’m coming over to your house after school today.”
“So like right now.”
“Yep.” I smiled and she rolled her eyes.
“You just think I have no plans all the time, don’t you?”
“You have plans?”
“No, but that’s beside the point.” I gave her my little puppy eyes and she folded quickly. “Come on let’s go.”
When we get to Ami’s house we are quickly stopped by her mom. “Oh Kitsunimi, what are you doing here?”
“Ami and I are doing our homework together.”
“Is your mother here?”
“No, she’s at work, like she always is.”
“Fine.”
That night I just laid up thinking about everything that has happened to me in the last very few days. My thoughts are normally very random and I would be so sorry if there were someone forced to hear them.
The next morning I woke up even before my mom. I wanted to get on one of the computers at school to write my American email pal. I was so lucky that the doors were opened at 6:30. I started toward my locker, and I noticed a tall, thin, black haired guy very close to it. I skipped eagerly toward him. I proceed to tap him on the shoulder and ask, “Do you need any help?” he turned around and my mouth fell agape from shock.
“Oh Kitsunimi, nice to see you walking again.”
“Ha ha, very funny. Now, what are you doing here?”
“Trying to get my locker open.”
“That can’t be your locker.”
“This paper from the principal says it is.”
“N-no, it can’t be.” I ripped the paper from his hand, nearly tearing it in half. I read it over and fell back on to the lockers in tears. “This can’t be. It just simply can’t be.”
“Is it that terrible that my locker is right here?”
“Yes, it is ‘that terrible’.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it’s right next to mine.” I pushed my face into my elbow and pounded my fist on to miss four sixty-two.
“Calm down. Please, stop crying. I’ll have them change my locker. Just stop crying.”
I wipe my eyes. “It’s too late for that now.” I searched all over the paper and quickly found what I’m looking for. I gave it a few short turns and opened his locker right up. “You have to be a complete idiot not to be able to open a locker.”
“Who’s this?” a shrill voice rang from behind us.
“Hello Anaguma.”
“Oh hi Kitnotsoemi.”
“Oh I like what you did to my name there. Anaguma, jealousy is a horrible thing.”
“Who’s this and why is he near you?”
“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Taikineko, and I’m near this gorgeous girl, because I was just about to ask her on a date, but thanks to your selfishness the essence of romantic was totally lost in the occasion.”
“Well it looks to me like you have very bad taste, but if you ever come to your senses; I’m around.” She winked at him and walked away.
“So, what do you say?”
“About what?”
“A date, tonight?”
“I thought that was just a ploy to get the Anaguma away from us.”
“Yeah, kind of, but still.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“Alright, I guess I’ll see you later then.”
“Yeah, later.” I turned away. “Much later,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Wait Kitsunimi.”
“Yes.” I turned back toward him.
“You forgot your books.”
“Oh yeah,” I grabbed my stuff and left for science.
“On time today Miss Tanaka?”
“I’m always in the door before the bell rings and I always have my homework done. I really don’t know why you hate me.”
“I don’t hate any of my students.”
“Well, you could have fooled me.”
“Hey Kitimi; you’re early.”
“Yeah, I came in to email Amanda, but I never made it to the library.”
“Why not just email her after school?”
“I guess I’ll have to. Ami?”
“Huh?”
“I have a hypothetical question for you.”
“Go on.”
“Say a guy asked you out and you know nothing about him; he’s cute, but you are still kind of afraid of him, what would you do?”
“Date him.”
“Miss Manami?”
“Free foods, free food. If he’s cute, just go for it. If you don’t like him, don’t go out for another date.”
“So, who asked you out?”
“I said it was a hypothetical question.”
“It was that Taikineko wasn’t it?”
“Taikineko? I have in my third period physics. He is cute.”
“Miss Manami?”
“What? He’s eighteen.”I rolled my eyes and just waited for class to start.
My best friend and my strangely attractive teacher said I should go for it and so does my heart, but my head was cursing me out and calling me a moron.
I was about to follow my heart, until I opened my locker and a note fell out. “Huh? What’s this?” I picked it up and started to read it. ‘Kitsunimi, I would be very happy if you would accept my offer of dinner and a movie tonight at six, but it is your decision and I have no say in it. Taikineko.’ Everyone thinks he’s cute and this could be an opportunity to hold something over Anaguma’s big breasted head. I decided to go for it; it’s just one date and not a marriage proposal.
After the final bell rang, I hurried down to the computer lab. I started up my favorite computer and had to stop to think about what to tell Amanda. ‘Dear Amanda, it has been a few days since I’ve talked to you, and well quite frankly I’m sorry for that. A lot of weird stuff has been happening lately and it’s just starting to get to me. I met this really cute guy the other day and he asked me out. I totally wanted to scream, and not in a good way. I ended up tripping and hurting my ankle two days ago and he thought it would be a good idea to carry me all the way to my house. It was so weird. Well, I really have to go so I can do my homework before my date. OMG! That sounds so messed up. TTYL, Kitimi.’
I walked out into the halls and found them to be empty. “Hmm, how late is it?” I searched the walls for a clock, but there was none to be found. “Stupid school and their no clocks policy. So stupid.”
“Kitsunimi, I’ve been looking for you. Do you have an answer for me?”
“Well, everyone, including Miss Manami, said I should, but everyone is practically just my best friend, Ami and Miss Manami.”
“So, is that a yes or a no?
“That’s a, what should I wear?”
“Whatever you want, you could go naked for all I care.”
“You would like that, wouldn’t you?”
“I’m not answering that question.”
“I guess I’ll see you at six, then.”
“Do you mind if I walk with you a bit.”
“Why don’t you just go home?”
“I live on that road where we met.”
“Do you really? That is so interesting, but I don’t care.” I walked out of the school and down the street toward my house. “Wait,” I stopped and turned back. “You know the date won’t be as special if you keep following me around.”
“I won’t be with you that long.”
“Whatever.” I continued down the sidewalk.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Wherever you take me.”
He was quiet for about a minute. “What movie do you want to see?”
“I don’t care.”
“You have a very sour attitude.”
“I only do when people won’t stop bothering me.”
“Am I really that annoying?”
“It’s just that I hate when people keep asking me tons of questions. I would actually rather be talking, than being talked to.” I skipped around in front of him, “maybe you can say I’m a girl, but I might be the only one that thinks that.” He started to chuckle. “Are you laughing at me?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh look, this is where you get off.”
“Hmm, yeah, I guess it is. I’ll see you at six.”
“Yeah, six.”
I finally got to walk the rest of the way home in peace, or at least until I remembered that I have a date and nothing to wear. I didn’t even know where we were going. I ran the rest of the way home. Soon, I was in my room searching for anything that would suit. “I have absolutely nothing that will work,” I cried in angry. “Wait!” an idea sparkled in my head. “Maybe my mom has something that may fit me.”
I hopped into my mom’s room and drove into the closet. “Hmm, no, nope, nothin’.” I pulled out outfit after outfit, but couldn’t find anything her either. I reached toward the back for the last time and felt the softest velvet ever. It has a red crushed velvet bottom that hits to the knee and a bodice that looks a bit like a toga in satin, the same color as the bottom, a kind of sexy, nearly blood red dress with only spaghetti straps holding it up. I hiked over the pile Mount No-more-cloths, to check the clock. “It’s only 4:23, so I have time.” I stuffed everything back into the closet, all but the perfect dress. “Oh this is so great.” I held it in front of myself and swirled out in front of the full length mirror. “I am going to look gorgeous in this.” I looked back at the clock and it already read 5:07.
“Oh God, after five, I need a shower.” I ran and took the quickest shower I ever had. I stood and looked at my naked self in the mirror. “Make-up, hair, cloths. Make-up, hair, cloths.” I opened the medicine cabinet and pull out my make-up bag. “Blush, check. Foundation, check. Lip gloss, check. Eye shadow, triple check.” I laid my make-up out in front of me, “what a variety? One blush, two shadow tones, and four glosses.” After my make-up was done, it looked so, hmm, weird against my flat hair, so I decided to curl it. I don’t do that enough.
The door bell rang and I started to freak out. “Oh my God, oh my God; he’s here! What should I do? What should I do?” I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, until I opened the window and looked down. There was Taikineko, all dressed up and holding a bouquet of flowers. “Um Taikineko.”
He looked up at me, “what are you doing up there?”
“This is my room.”
“It’s six.”
“I’ll be down there in a minute; I’m kind of naked at the moment.” I pulled my cloths on and run down the stairs; then I opened the door and sat down at the front. “We can leave as soon as I get my shoes on.”
“Um, alright.” He looked at me with an evil sideways glare. “Did you remember to put underwear on?”
“Yeah, but it took me forever to find a strapless bra to go with it.”
He smacked his forehead in disbelief, “why did you pick a dress that you would have a hard time finding a bra for?”
“This is my mom’s dress.”
“Shouldn’t she have one?”
“Yeah, but my mom’s boobs are bigger than mine.”
“I didn’t want to know that.” He shoved his fingers in his ears, “la, la, la.”
“Oh come on, stop that,” I gave him my nearly fail-safe little puppy dog eyes look.
“Come on, let’s go.” He walked out to the sidewalk and I stopped and sneered at him.
“We’re walking?”
“I said I’ll pick you up at six. I never said anything about being in a car.”
“There’s nothing within three miles of here. I’m in a dress, stockings, heels and a strapless BRA. I’m not walking that far.”
“Fine, we can go to my house and I’ll get my car.”
“Ha, I knew it. That was your plan the whole time.”
“Huh?”
“Go to your house so you can get me drunk and out of my skirt!”
“And this time you’re in a dress.”
“Does that really matter?”
“This happened before, did it not? And you trusted me so quickly that time too.”
“You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve been through. You won’t ever understand my torment.” I ran into the house.
“Please Kitsunimi. I’m sorry. I don’t know you, but I can’t get to know you if you won’t talk to me.”
“Go away!” I sobbed.
“Fine!” He left down the sidewalk.
“Finally, I can’t believe him, go to his house. He probably doesn’t even have a car.” I stood up and turned around in a circle, “and such a waste of a beautiful dress,” I sighed. I walked slowly into my room and slumped over my desk. “My life surely is worthless. No one really likes me. I have no talents, and I don’t have any ambitions.” Then I heard a car pull in to my driveway. “What’s this? Mom’s home early.” I swiveled my chair around and opened my math book. I sat and waited to hear the door open from down stairs, but it didn’t. “What’s she doing?” I could hear small clinking noises on my window. “What in the world?” I walked over and opened the window to see Taikineko on the ground with a fist full of pebbles. “What do you want?”
“Oh Kitsunimi, why won’t you go out with me?” he sang.
“I thought I told you to go away.”
“Oh, you didn’t say go get your car, silly me.” I looked over on to the road to see a blue Suzuki sidekick.
“You know that’s a no parking zone, don’t you?”
“Well, we’ll have to go soon then, won’t we?”
“If I jump out the window, would you be able to catch me.”
“No.”
“Fine, I’m in address any way.”
I ran down stairs and out to his car. “I love sidekicks, can I drive?”
“Can I see your license?”
“No.”
“And why not?”
“I don’t have one.”
“Then you’re defiantly not driving my car.”
“Fine.” I get into the back seat and buckle up my seatbelt.
“What are you doing?”
“Buckling up, it’s the law.”
“Says the girl that wanted to drive without a license, and anyway, I meant, what are you doing in the back?”
“Staying away from your gropy hands.”
“There are two things wrong with that statement: one I can’t grope you when I’m driving, and two, why would I grope you in the first place?”
“I don’t know, because you’re a teenage boy and I’m in a low cut, short length dress. All guys are only after a girl’s body.”
“Who told you that, your daddy?”
“Ever say that again and I will have to kill you.”
“Sorry, um, where would you like to go eat?”
“Sushi?”
“Um, sushi it is.”
I scared the crap out of him, and that kind of scared me too. “Why don’t you come and sit up here? It looks kind of ludicrous. We are on a date.”
“Fine, I’ve always wanted to sit in the front of one of these anyway.” I unbuckled my seatbelt and hurried into the front seat. “Sushi away.”
“Seatbelt, it is the law.”
I fastened myself in, “sushi away.” He revved the engine and stomped his foot to the petal.
We got to the restaurant in record time and he was worried about me driving. As we walked inside, he grabbed my hand, “it’d look more natural if we held hands.”
“It would look ‘natural’ if I were to break your fingers.” I squeezed tighter.
“Is that Anaguma?” he grabbed around the back of my neck and pulled his lips to mine.
“Is she gone yet?”
“Not yet.” We kept kissing and then I felt a zap from my bracelet.
“Ouch.”
“What? Did I hurt you?”
“It wasn’t you, it was this stupid bracelet.” I tried to pull it off, but it wouldn’t move. “Huh? That’s strange, it won’t come off.”
“Let’s get our seat.”
“Um, yeah.” I never got such a strange feeling from this bracelet before. I love it so much. My mother gave it to me, it’s the only thing I have of my father’s. I don’t know what happened to him, as far as I know, he could be dead.
“What were you thinking about?”
“Um nothing, just nothing.”
We got a sit in about the middle of the restaurant, kind of dark and secluded. “This place is kind of, hmm, how to put this, um, too much. The only light is candle light for God’s sake.”
“It’s what you picked.”
“I picked sushi. You can get sushi from the gas station, but I wouldn’t trust it from there.”
“Quiet down. We aren’t the only ones here.”
“Oh sorry, I couldn’t see them in the darkness.”
“Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“Yeah, I dressed up all cute like, even did my make-up and hair, but you can’t see me!”
“Fine, sorry about this, but we’re leaving.” We got up and walked out. “Where do you want to go now, and be specific?”
“Hatori ramen, it’s the best ramen place in town. We can pick something up there and then go out to Kumiko Park’s big hill to eat. Specific enough for you?”
“I have no clue where either, of those, are. I did just move six days ago.”
“Well, conveniently I have no idea where we even are right now, so we’re totally lost.” I cradled my face in my hands.
“We are not lost. I have GPS. What’s the address for Hatori Ramen?”
“753 Aijounoaru Baka.”
“And the park?”
“Not sure, but it’s like across the street from Hatori’s.”
“Great, let’s go.” We ran back to the Suzuki and took off.
We went inside and saw the Terror of Death, and not the cute one; the fifty pound boobed one. “Is that Anaguma?”
“We’re already holding hands.”
“Oh, so isn’t it the poser and the boy with bad taste.”
“Ahh and here comes Boobzilla, everyone run from the killer pillows.”
“Where’d you get that dress, your mommy? Or was it your daddy?”
“Bitch!” I leaped up and grabbed her ponytail and started tearing at her hair.
“Ouch, oww! Let me go, you lunatic.”
“I can’t stand people like you. Never able to shut their mouths.”
“Kitsunimi, stop it! You’ll get us kicked out.” She grabbed my collar and shoved me to the ground. I kicked her to the ground and scratched her cheek.
Another guy ran out and grabbed Anaguma, while Taikineko pulled me back. “Let me go.” I kicked and screamed.
“Kitsunimi! I’ve always thought you were better than that. Anaguma, leave now, and if you come back bring some money.” Anaguma stormed out the door. I turned to see Ikuhara glaring at me.
“Ikuhara?”
“You are so lucky my grandfather is in love with you, or you’d be out of here too.”
“I’m sorry Ikuhara.”
“Anyway, I don’t see you as a very violent person. Anaguma probably deserved it.”
Taikineko cleared his throat. “Oh yeah, can we order?”
“We’re on a date.”
Ikuhara walked back behind the counter, “um, okay. What would you like?” he smiled with the smile of a god.
“Barbequed pork, please.” I nearly tripped over every word.
“Make that two please.” Taikineko grabbed my shoulders.
“Um, for here or to go?”
“GO!” Taikineko almost screamed into my ear.
“That will be 2250 please.”
Taikineko paid; then pulled me away from the counter. “What are you doing?”
“Standing.”
“You were flirting with him.”
“N-no I was not!” Or was I?
“Orders up.” I took the bag from him and gave him a large grin. “Have a nice evening Kitsunimi.”
“Don’t work too hard, Ikuhara.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t, bye.”
“Bye.” Taikineko stormed out the door and toward the car. “Oh come one Taikineko!” I ran after him. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong, what’s wrong? How can you be so ignorant? You were totally flirting with him, and you don’t care.”
“I wasn’t flirting with him!” I got zapped again. “What the hell? This stupid thing doesn’t even have a power source.” I pushed it back and rubbed at the burnt skin.
“Let’s go. Kumiko Park is across the street, right?”
“Yeah.” I lumped myself down into the front seat, and we drove over to the park; then walked to the top of the big hill.
“No one’s here.”
“That’s because everyone is at home or that baseball game.”
“Makes sense.”
“This place sure is beautiful with the sun setting, isn’t it?” I swirled around in a circle.
“Yeah, it really is. Why don’t you come over and sit down, before your food gets cold.” I spun all the way back over to Taikineko and sat down.
“Barbequed pork ramen is so good.” I slurped down half my soup and a piece of meat flings up and hits my nose. “Do I have anything one my face?” I giggled.
“Nice.” He took out a napkin and whipped my nose off.
“We need some music.”
“The car is down the hill.” I opened my purse and searched for something. “What are you looking for?” I pulled out an iPod and a small set of speakers. “What kind of music is on that thing?”
“Just listen and you’ll find out.” I turn it on and some horrible thing squealed out of the speaker.
“What is that?”
“Oh man, this is my mom’s iPod.” I turned it down to where I could hardly hear it. “Maybe it won’t be so bad if we can’t hear it.”
“Yeah.” I got up and started to spin around again.
“What would you like to do now?”
“You picked the park. Do you want to play on the swings or something?” He chuckled.
“No, I’m not a fan of man made play equipment. I would much rather roll down this hill.” I ran toward the top of the slope.
“Wait Kitsunimi, what about your dress? You could ruin it rolling down the hill.”
“Oh yeah, you have a good point.” I pulled the dress off over my head and laid it on the ground.
“Kitsunimi, that’s not what I meant.” He pulled off his suit jacket and ran toward me.
“Call me Kit.” I laid down and started tumbling down the hill. Taikineko reached the top and soon found himself rolling down behind me. When I made it to the bottom I sat back and watched as Taikineko rolled down. “Now, wasn’t that fun?”
“Surprisingly, it was. Now please, put my jacket on.”
I tugged it from his hand and put it on. “Happy?”
“I would be happier if you were in your dress.”
“So weird, a guy mad that the girl he’s with is in only her underwear.”
“Oh, um, well, uhh, whatever. Let’s just go back to the top.” His face was getting to be a very red color.
“Oh no! Are you starting to get sick?” I sneered.
“No, just go.”
We climbed our way back up to the top. “So much more work going up, than going down,” I panted.
“Yeah, but it wasn’t that bad. Go get your dress.”
“Wait! Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” I walked over to the music and turned it up.
“Life is Like a Boat, I love that song.” I strolled over toward Taikineko and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Will you dance with me?”
“I guess I will since you’re already wrapped around me.” He placed his arms around my shoulders and I laid my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beat faster as I pulled myself closer to him. I wanted to stay lost in that moment forever. “Kit? Kit?” I warped back to reality. “The song is over, plus like three more.”
“Oh, uh, how late is it getting?”
“Not sure, maybe around nine.”
“Well, I don’t really want to go home yet. Let’s go swing.”
“I thought you weren’t a fan of most man made equipment.”
“I did, but now I want to play on the swings. You can stay here if you want. It’ll get lonely by yourself.”
“You would be alone too.”
“I’m never alone when I have my thoughts.”
“You’re too weird.”
“Thanks, I try.”
“Race you.” He took off in the direction of the nearest set of swings.
“So not fair, I’m in heels. I slipped my shoes and chased after him. “Wait up,” I panted. He‘s fast. I tossed my shoe at him and it smacked him right in the back of the head. He toppled on to his face and slid the rest of the way down the hill. “Taikineko.” I ran down to him. “Taikineko, wake up.” I nudged him and he didn’t move. “Oh no, oh no. what can I do? I killed him!” I got down beside him, rolled him on to his back and started shaking him by his shoulders. “Get up, please get up!” I wrapped my arms around him and started bawling on to his shoulders. “Calm down Kitsunimi. Calm down.” I put his jacket under his head, stood up and searched through his pockets. “Alright, keys.” I ran over to his car and jumped into the front seat. “Oh no, I can’t drive stick. Ami! Yes, Ami can drive stick shift.” I rustled around for my phone. “Ami!”
“Kitimi, what’s wrong? You sound worried.”
“Get to the park. As fast as you can.”
“What is it?”
“Just get here, Kumiko Park.”
“Alright.” I hung up and rushed back over to Taikineko. “It’ll be fine, helps on the way.” I laid his head on my lap and held his hand for the few minutes it took for Ami to drive to the park. “Ami! Over here!” I sobbed.
“Kitsunimi, what is it?” She ran over.
“I can’t get him to wake up.”
“What? Who is it?”
“Taikineko.”
“Good thing I had my dad come too. Dad!” Ami’s dad is a larger man, not fat, but tall and wide.
“What happened?” They couldn’t understand any of my blubbering. “We have to get him to the hospital.” He picked up Taikineko up and carried him the same way Taikineko carried me when I hurt my ankle. “Is the Suzuki his?” I could only nod. “Ami, take Kitsunimi home in that.”
“No, I’m going with you to the hospital.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I’m the reason he’s hurt. I have to go!”
“Ami, take his car and follow us to the hospital.” He laid him down softly in the back of his car.
We rushed to the hospital and got him into the emergency room. A doctor greeted us and took him back to one of the rooms. She came back out and started to ask questions. “I want some answers. What happened to him?” she glared at Ami’s dad.
“They had nothing to do with it. They just helped me get him here.” I wiped my tears.
“He has a small hole in the back of his head, a broken nose and his chest is all scratched up. How am I to believe you did that alone?”
“It was an accident! We were racing to the swings from on top of the bug hill at Kumiko Park. He cheated and started first. He was very far ahead, so I through my shoe at him. I meant to hit his knee something, but I got him in the back of the head; then he fell face first and slid the rest of the way down the hill. I tried to wake him, but when he wouldn’t get up I started to freak out and when I finally calmed down enough, I was going to drive his car here, but I can’t drive stick. So I called them for help.” I started to burst into tears again.
“Settle down sweetie. I believe you. Your boyfriend will be awake by Monday.”
“We’re not dating, wait, did you say Monday.”
“He will most likely be unconscious for the entire weekend due to the severity of his injuries. We’ll be moving him to a different room. You can stay with him if you’d like.”
“Thank you and thank you Ami, Mr. Sato.”
“We’ll be going now, okay.”
“Yeah, of course, bye.” I hugged Ami and walked off with the doctor.
The whole time I was in the room with him, all I did was hold his hand, watch the clock and think. 10:30 my mom is probably home now, wondering where dinner is. 11:00, she probably doesn’t even know I’m not home yet. “Taikineko, please heal quickly.” Another tear rolled down my cheek, off my hand and hit his hand. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“It’s okay.”
I jumped back. “Taikineko, you’re awake. Did I fall asleep? Is it Monday?”
“I think it’s Friday.” He sat up and groaned.
“Don’t move you’re hurt.”
“I’m a little scratched up. I’ll be fine.” He lifted the sheet off of himself. “Where are my pants?”
“I don’t know. Don’t look at me that way. Nurse, nurse! He’s awake!”
“What? Already!”
The doctor ran in. “You shouldn’t be up yet. Miss, please go to the waiting room. We need to re-examine his injuries.” The nurse pushed me out into the hallway and closed door. Three minutes later the doctor walked out with a stunned look on her face. “He’s incredible. He’s fine to go.” I looked into the room and saw him pull his shirt back on; not much more than a few small scars on his chest, his tantalizing chest.
“Taikineko, I’m so glad you’re okay.” I ran in and started to cry on his shoulder again.
“It’s okay. I’m fine. I can even drive you home, but I have to fill out some paper work first.”
“Of course.”
It was getting close to one before we made it out of the hospital. “Let’s get you home. Your mom’s probably worried sick.”
“If she even notices.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ah, nothing. Don’t worry about it.” The rest of the ride home was very quiet. He pulled into my driveway, got out and ran over to open my door. “Thanks.”
“I’ll see you again.”
“Yeah, bye.” I started to the front door; then dashed back and kissed him on the check. “Bye.”
I walked inside and flipped on the kitchen light. “Hello Kitsunimi, or should I say good morning.”
“Mom!”
“You have some serious explaining to do.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nearly 1:30 and you’re just getting in, you have a curfew. Wait one minute, is that my dress?”
“Um, yes, but I am planning on washing it.”
“But nothing, this has to be the most irresponsible thing you have ever done. You shouldn’t go through my stuff without permission, and to top it all off you wore that dress. Do you know how much that dress means to me?”
“No, I guess I know nothing about you. I thought you would be proud of me just once.” I pulled the dress off, throw it on the ground and ran up to my room; eyes full of tears again.
I woke up the next morning sore all over. I rolled up and looked at the clock. “Eleven already.” I drug myself out of bed and into the bathroom. I could hardly recognize the disheveled face in the mirror before me. “My goodness, what a rough night.” I took a wash cloth and wiped the mascara from my chin. After I cleaned my face, I stripped and cleansed myself for a bath. “All I need is to take a long hot bath to forget all my troubles.” My bath was done and I was feeling great. Downstairs, all alone, no problems this beautiful Saturday.
I walked through the kitchen and noticed a note on the TV. “Oh God, what’s this?”
‘Kit, we seriously need to talk when I get home tonight, Mom.’
“Sheesh, what I have to deal with.” I went back to the kitchen, opened the fridge and pulled out a pre-made PB&J Sandwich. I shoved it in my mouth and headed to the couch. “Saturday cartoons here I … oh carp, it’s already too late. Now what?” I chocked down the last of my sandwich and rolled on to my back. “I have nothing to do.” I felt like screaming until the phone rang. I picked it up. “Hey Ami, just in time. I am so bored.”
“Who’s Ami?”
“Taikineko? How’d you get my number?”
“I know your address and I searched a lot. Your mom’s name is really nice.”
“Whatever. What do you want?”
“Grumpy this morning, aren’t we?”
“Well if I was home by ten like I planned I might be in so deep.”
“Who hurt who here?”
“Shut up. Why’d you call?”
“Last night when I got home I thought about your bracelet. It looks identical to mine, so I looked for information on it in one of my scrolls. The stuff is pretty weird. I wanted to see if you would like to come over to my place today and look at what I found. Some of the stuff makes no sense to me.”
“Your bracelet is the same as mine? I can’t believe that, I have an antique that is about one hundred and fifty years old. Made from jade and silver.”
“Yes, Nephrite Jade and low quality silver. Mine is too.”
“I’ll need to see it to believe you.”
“Fine, go to the corner where we first ran into each other so I can lead you to my house.”
“You totally sounded like a psycho there.”
“Sorry, I really didn’t mean to.”
“Ten minutes.”
“Make it fifteen, I can tell you just woke up and probably aren’t even dressed yet.”
“Actually, I got like an hour ago, but I’m only in my robe.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.” I didn’t really want to go, but how can I say no. I hurt him so badly, even if he doesn’t seem as hurt as he should be. I throw a tee-shirt on and slipped into a jean mini skirt. Taikineko wasn’t there when I made it to the corner. “Where is he?”
“Kit.”
I jumped. “You’re as sneaky as a cat.”
“Makes sense,”
“Huh?”
“Not a good way to put that. Um, let’s go.”
“What about the bracelet?”
“Oh yes, I forgot.” He pulled up his sleeve and showed me it; it does look like mine.
“Yeah.” He hopped out in front of me. “No racing this time.”
“Gotcha.” He grabbed my hand and started pulling me down the sidewalk.
“No, I’m in heels,” I scream.
We soon arrived in the front of a small bungalow. “Is this your place?”
“Yeah, a bit dinky, but it’s home.”
“Can you really call it home after only living here for less than two weeks?
“More of a home than where I was before. I have someone here.”
“Who’s that?”
“You.” He skipped inside.
“Huh? You don’t have me.” I stepped inside behind him.
“To me, just knowing your name is too good.”
“Awww, that’s weirdly sweet. Wow, the inside is really great, especially with how the outside looks and all.”
“Um thanks. That was a compliment, right?”
“Take it as you will.” I rubbed my hand down a vase, moved a picture frame, flopped down on to the couch, put my feet up on the coffee table, and flipped the TV on.
“Um, Kit?”
“Huh?”
“Can you no be so touchy and turn the TV off?”
“Uh, sure.” I clicked the TV off, stood up and straighten my skirt. “Where are your parents?”
“I live alone.”
“That would be nice. Right now my mom is so pissed at me; she can be such a pain.”
“You shouldn’t talk that way about you mom. What if all the sudden she was just gone? Puff, no mom. No one to trust. A loving caring mother taken away, left with only a man you once called father.”
“What are you going on about?
“Oh, um, nothing you should concern yourself with.”
“Alright. Um, where’s that scroll thingy?”
“It’s in my room; come and I’ll show you.”
“Y-yo-your room?”
“Yeah.” Trust him or don’t trust him? Trust of no? Yes or can’t? “Kit?”
“Huh?”
“You coming?”
“Um, yeah.” I followed him down a narrow hall and in through the first of three doors.
“It’s on that pedestal over there. I think it says something about your grandfather.”
“Huh? My grandfather, he was the original owner of my bracelet.”
“I wonder why it’s identical to mine.” I only could shrug. “Have a seat.”
“I’d rather stand.” I was not going to sit on his bed with him on the floor and me in this skirt.
“Have it your way.” He unveiled the scroll and started to read it. “‘A demon fox was recently born in the woods. He is the demon that will produce the half demon bringer of the key. His fur is the color of the small berries for drinking. He will be a trickster and use his handsome, manipulative human form to impregnate a young peasant maiden. Fifty years after the child’s birth another child will be born, the key. This child will be the daughter of the half breed and the human. She will meet the son of the demon bride and the man seventeen and one half summers of life.’ ”
“Seventeen and one half summers of life?”
“I think it means years.”
“So seventeen and a half years. So she’ll meet the son around her half birthday.”
“Okay, I’ll continue. ‘The daughter has the ability to unlock the Nephrite Shrine and grant the deepest desire of the son’s. The daughter has the beauty of one thousand geisha’s with hair of the same shade, but much lighter than her grandfather and her eyes the color of the sky. The son has the face of his father and the ears, tail, black hair and green eyes of his mother’s. Both have birthmarks of the moons on there backs that connect their souls.’ ”
“She sounds beautiful, but what does that have to do with me?”
“Weren’t you listening?”
“Yeah, that’s way I asked what that has to do with me.”
“When did we meet?”
“Um January eleventh.”
“When is your half birthday?”
I counted months on my fingers. “February tenth.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, August, September, November, December, January, February.”
“You forgot October.”
“I did? I always end up doing that and I love Thanksgiving Day.”
“Um, no, but anyway we met the day after your half birthday.”
“No, that makes no sense. Wouldn’t that make you … a demon?
“Half.”
“And me. No, it’s no true.”
“We fit the descriptions perfectly: purple and black hair, blue and green eyes, plus you’re incredibly beautiful.”
“Oh thanks, I’m flattered, but one thousand geishas seems a bit outrageous, and anyway, it says you have the tail of your mom; I’ve never seen a tail. “He stood up and dropped his pants. “Oh my God, what are you doing?” I wanted to look away, but I found myself starring.
“Don’t be such a baby.” He turned around and I could see a cat tail extending from the base of his spine.
“Ouch, ouch.”
“What are you doing?” he quickly turned back to face me.
“I can’t wake up.”
“This isn’t a dream.”
“It has to be and you’re not really here.” I walked out into the living room and out the front door.
“Kit, come back.” He chased after me.
I stood in front of his house and stared aimlessly down the street. “I’m lost; even in my dreams, I’m lost.”
“In dreams you can’t feel anything, right?” I turned around and he is standing right behind me.
“I think so.” He pulled me close to him and kissed me.
“Did you feel that?”
“Um hmm.”
“Not a dream?”
“Na ah.”
“Let’s go back inside and talk more.” We headed back into his living room and sat down.
“If all of this is true, that means I am a key to some shrine.”
“Yes, the Nephrite Shrine. Nephrite is the kind of jade our bracelets have on it. My mom told me that the stone is actually from the shrine itself.”
“Where is this shrine?”
He walked into his room and came back out with another scroll. “‘Only the son of the demon bride and the daughter of the key bearer can find the map pieces to the Nephrite Shrine. Each piece reveals the next location. The first site is at the place you fell from great height, but you didn’t get hurt. Half way down if it had been hit, it would have been worse. A big hole deep inside, lays your first surprise.’ ”
“That’s the clue?”
“It’s in pieces. Man this sucks.” I was actually surprised to hear that come from him; he doesn’t seem like the type to complain.
“I have to be heading home, it’s getting late.”
“It’s 12:30.”
“I know, half the days already gone.” I stood up and walked out the door. “Goodbye then.”
“What about the map?”
“I’ll call you.”
I got home and sat in the kitchen with nothing to do. “Maybe I should have stayed and talked with him a bit more.” I swirled around in my chair. “No, he was in his underwear less than half and hour of me being there.” My stomach was starting to grumble. “It’s too early to eat again. I ate at 11:30.” I punched myself in the stomach. “Hmm, I wonder what Ami’s up to.” I picked up the phone and was about to dial when it rang. The caller id read Akimoto. “What does he want?” I pushed the talk button; then hung up just as quickly. “Ha, take that.” I picked up the phone again and got the number dialed quick enough to get the call through.
“Hello.”
“Hey sexy.”
“Kitimi, what are you doing home?”
“Huh?”
“I totally expected you to be at Taikineko’s side, holding his hand, and bawling your eyes out.”
“He was released yesterday. He got up and walked out. It was rather creepy.”
“He’s out, but the doctor said.”
“Doctors can be wrong too; he’s fine physically, but I’m not sure about his mental health. I was at his house and he kissed me.”
“He kissed you?!? That doesn’t make him crazy.”
“I wasn’t finished, he wasn’t wearing any pants.” She starts to burst into laughter. “Not funny.”
“Why was he in his underwear?”
“Uh, um, he didn’t really give me a reason.”
“Is that way you called me?”
“Not really. I was calling to say come over. I missed cartoons today and I need stimulation.”
“Okay.”
“So, you’re coming over?”
“I can’t.”
“What? Why not?”
“I have a swim meet today and I have to be there at two. I can come over tomorrow.”
“Are you serious? Man, now I have nothin’ to do.”
“Go back out to Taikineko’s.”
“Hmm, he did just call. No way, I can’t do that. Well, I’ll let you get ready. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I hung up the phone and started to get madder. “I have nothing to do,” I screamed; then the phone rang. “Hello.”
“Kit. Did you hang up on me?”
“Um, me no hablo Japoneses.” I learned some Spanish from Amanda, my American email pal.
“Kit, I know that’s you.”
“Yo hablo Englas?”
“What?”
“Me hablo mucho poco.”
“Kit, come on.”
“I am not coming on to you, not again.”
“Huh? You never came on to me.”
“I didn’t? Oh, okay. What do you want?”
“We need to figure out this clue.”
“That clue is totally ridiculous, like your hair.”
“What’s wrong with my hair?”
“Nothing, I actually like it.”
“Did you take something when you got home?”
“No, I’m just really bored out of my mind.”
“Come over and we can discuss that clue.”
“You come over here or deal off.”
“Why does it matter?”
“I feel safer here.”
“Fine, I’ll be over in ten minutes.”
“Okay, bye.”
I went into the living room and flopped down on the couch. “Awww sweet. Mom got me the newest D.I.E.T. DVD.” I put the DVD in and sat back to watch. It was only half way through the first episode before the door bell rang. “Who could that be?” I rushed to the front door to see Taikineko standing behind it. “Oh I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“We just talked like ten minutes ago about this.”
I searched through my memory. “I don’t remember, but whatever. Come in. you can wait in the kitchen. I have tidy up some.” I started into the dinning room.
“What were you doing for the last ten minutes?”
“Watching TV.”
“Are you ready to do it?”
“Do what?!?”
“You forgot that too.”
“Huh?” I walked back into the kitchen.
“The clue.”
“Oh that stupid thing. Man, I need something to eat. No more food Kitsunimi.” I smacked myself in the forehead.
“Are you on a diet or something?”
“No, I just end up eating a lot when I’m home alone. It’s only been two and a half hours since I had a sandwich.”
“I was going to say, you’re great the way you look now; there’s no need to change that, but if you think about it, walking to my house from here, you burnt fifteen hundred calories and only eat a four hundred calorie sandwich.”
“Peanut butter & jelly on white, no crust.”
“You should eat something before you faint.”
“I’m fine,” I sat down on the floor and don’t know what happened, until I woke at six in the hospital. “Huh? What’s going on?”
“Did you know your ears go away when you’re unconscious?”
“What happened?”
The same doctor from last night came in. “he said you fainted. You were so dehydrated; we had to do an Intervenes Drip. I starting to think you two shouldn’t date.”
“We’re not dating.”
“She said the only thing she eat all day was a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.”
“White, no crust.”
“What did she do today?”
“Watched TV.”
“She walked a fourth of a mile to the street, then ran three-fourths to my house and then she walked back home, so that’s another mile.”
“There could be more problems than just dehydration.”
“I was thinking that too, she walks three-fourths of a mile to school and back home everyday.”
“Can we stop talking about me? I need to get home before my mom does.”
“We should keep you for more tests.”
“No! I mean, she’s fine now. I’ll tell her mom to make sure she gets a lot of fluids and to keep an eye on her.”
The doctor eyed him suspiciously, “fine. She can fill out her papers and go home, but if either of you get sent here again within the next week I’m going to call the cops.
It was nearly seven when we made it home. “What happened?”
“You fainted and I ran home to get my car to take you to the hospital. It took me about three minutes to get there and back.”
“Humanly impossible.”
“Did you hit your head and forget everything? I’m not human, well partially not.”
“I still don’t believe in demons. I need proof.”
“Proof? I showed you my tail, what more do you need?”
“People can be born with tails. I need to see some incredible demonic powers, levitate or something.”
“I can’t”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have any.”
“Because demons don’t exist.”
“Yes they do.”
“No they don’t”
“Kit, they do.”
“Mom, what are you doing home?”
“Half day at the restaurant. Who’s this?”
“This is Mr. nobody. He’s just leaving.”
“Isn’t he the boy you were out with until one?”
“I can explain all of that, ma’am.”
“I would like to talk to my daughter alone if you don’t mind.”
“Yes ma’am.” He ran out of the house.
“Just because you have a new boyfriend doesn’t mean that you’re allowed to bring him into my house without permission.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. You have no clue.” I tried to pass her to go upstairs and she grabbed my shoulder.
“No, go to the dinning room and sit. There’s something I need to tell you.” I pounded my feet into the dinning room and slumped down in a seat. “Kitsunimi, how old do you think I am?”
“Thirty-six, like Ami’s mom, right?”
“No, I’m thirty-four.”
“But that means.”
“I was sixteen when I got pregnant with you.”
“So, you were too young when you had me. Too late for me to make that mistake, I’m out.” I stood up.
“Sit down this instant.” I flopped back down into my chair. “I want to tell you about your … father.”
“My father?!?”
“Yes, it was 19 years ago when I meet him. He was so handsome and made me laugh so much. He looked to be only a few years older than me, but he was actually forty-nine. He had some crazy purple hair, or I thought it was crazy, until I found out it was real. Your father was a half demon. This means you’re one-fourth yourself.”
“N-no, he told me, but I didn’t believe him.”
“Who told you that?”
“Taikineko.”
“Don’t tell me.”
“Yes, he’s part too.”
“Fox?”
“Cat, I think.”
“Cat demons are vein and very sneaky. Please watch yourself.”
“Whatever happened to father?”
“I know you wouldn’t remember this, but he had you from when you were born until you were eight months old. The day I turned eighteen this woman that was in her late sixties gave you to me and told me that your father … died; then she gave me the braclet and told me that this is for you. It’s almost one-hundred years old.”
“He died 17 years ago? I’ve hated men since I was six because I thought he left you. I hated men mom, I couldn’t trust any of them. Why didn’t you tell me before, before I was so mean to so many guys?”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Whatever, this is way too much for one day. I’m going to bed.” I used my arm to help push myself up.
“Kit, what’s that?”
“Huh?” I looked down at my arm. “It’s nothing.” I covered the needle mark with my hand.
I started to walk away and grabbed my wrist. “Don’t walk away from me. What happened when I was at work?”
“I fainted and got taken to the hospital. They gave me an IV.”
“You fainted?”
“It happens. I’m going to bed now.”
“It’s even eight.”
“I’m tired.” I crawled upstairs and laid back on my bed. “Am I just in a coma and all of this is a dream, but I can feel everything. So, it’s real. I’m part demon and my dad died when I wasn’t even a year old. I’ve had way too much throw onto my back for one day.” I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
“Kitsunimi! Where are you?!?” I looked around, but saw nothing but myself.
“What am I wearing?”
“Kitsunimi, save me!”
“Taikineko?!?” My bracelet shined a green light up into the sky.
“Where are you?!?”
“I could ask the same question.”
“I’m on the other side.”
“Huh?”
“The other side.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Cat demons are tricky my Uskuihime.”
“Who’s there?”
“You actually heard me?”
“That’s why I asked ‘who’s there?’.”
“Just listen, don’t trust a cat demon.”
“It’s Taikineko.”
“He can’t be trusted.”
“He loves me.”
“I love you much more.”
“Kitsunimi, please!”
I ran toward the sound of his voice. “I’ll get you out of there.” My fists became bloody not long after I started to bang on the mirror in front of me, each time one of the mirrors shattered a new image appeared on it. One, two, three, each image more grotesque than the last; then I final one made my stomach churn. I throw up on the ground as I saw Ami’s mangled corpse and Taikineko towering above it with blood dripping from his claws. “No, no, no.”
“Why did you trust me? Always trust a pretty face. You could have saved her from me.”
“No, shut up. This isn’t real.” I felt a drip of something warm fall on my shoulder. “No, I can’t look.” I stick my finger in the spot and bring it to my nose. “No, this can’t be.”
“It is.”
I looked up and a storm cloud has formed over my head. Drips fell from it, warm drips. “Oh no, oh God no. please save me.” I huddled to the ground and cried into my palms.
“No one can save you, you ugly whore, fat ugly whore. You suck at everything, even life.” A flood of blood surrounded me and I started drowning in it.
I awoke gasping for air and in a cold sweat. My heart was beating so hard I thought it might just stop. “What kind of dream was that?” I rubbed my eyes and started to get up. “I need to talk to him.” I sneak past my mom’s room and down into the kitchen. “Let’s see, Akimoto, there it is?” I knew it had to be late, but I was so very confused. I dialed his number and waited for an answer.
After about ten rings I heard a groggy, “hello,” from the other side of the line.
“How dare you?” I just blurted out the first thing that popped into my mind.
“Wait, kit, is that you?” He seems to be too tired to fight back.
“Yes, it’s me. Come to the corner we met now.”
“It’s 1:49 in the morning.”
“Don’t you think I already know that? We need to talk.”
“We are talking,” He yawns.
“IN PERSON!”
“Fine I’ll be there in two minutes.”
“Fine, bye.”
“Bye.” I ran out the door and grabbed my coat.
When I saw him, he became very red in the face. I wasn’t sure why, until he started laughing. “What? Too much of a hurry to remember to put pants on.”
“What? It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve seen me in my underwear.” Come on let’s go to my house.”
“Why?”
“A hole or something.”
“Why not tomorrow?”
“It is tomorrow, and anyway the quicker we find it, or don’t the quicker we find out the truth.”
“I guess that makes sense.” We left and he followed me with his head down the whole time.
“Wait out here while I go inside and get a flashlight, and maybe some pants.” When I walked back out I saw Taikineko just starring up at the sky. “What is it?”
“I just had an epiphany while you were gone.”
“Gross, I did not want to hear that.”
“No you noob, an epiphany is a sudden realization of something grand.”
“So, what did you epiphanize?”
“What the clue means?”
“What? No way.”
“Yeah, the place you fell from great height, but you didn’t get hurt. Half way down if it had been hit, it would have been worse. A big hole deep inside, lays your first surprise.”
“The clue, wow!”
“On, it’s the big hill.”
“It says hole, not hill.”
“You ‘fell’ down the hill.”
“No, you fell down the hill.”
“Whatever, the hill is great hit, and you didn’t get hurt.”
“I ripped my stockings. Anyway I don’t remember a hole and I’ve been there tons of times, I’ve played there since forever.”
“Is there any other explanations?”
“It’s the only clue we have.”
“We’ll have to go to my house and get the car.”
“Piggy back ride.”
“What?” I jumped onto his back. “What are you doing?”
“Run, go, now.” I pointed off down the sidewalk.
It was about a quarter to three when we arrive at the base of the hill. “Where’s this big hole of yours?” I glared at him.
“Um, which side did we roll down?”
“The side that’s a bit steeper.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
We ran to the other side of the hill and glanced up. “I see no hole.”
Out bracelets started to glow and shine a beam of green light on the hill’s side. I was temporary blinded for a few seconds, but soon my vision returned. A big spot of glitter formed at the point of beam’s impact. “I see one.”
“Shut up and move.” I climbed up the hill and to the hole. “It’s probably in the back.” I got on my hands and knees and crawled inside.
“Um, yeah.”
“Found something.”
“Hand it over.” I gave him a small piece of paper. “Let’s go back to the car so I can read this”
“Got it.” We went down and got into his car. “Read it.”
“‘The second piece is close to her heart, but can’t be gotten to by horse. Boats are the only solution of course.’ ”
“Close to my heart?”
“That’s what it says. Let’s head back.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, let’s go.” We went off and passed the school on our way back. On the next corner he turned. “Wait, this is your street.”
“I’ll take the car home; then walk you back to your place. I don’t want to wake your mom.”
“True.”
We stopped at his house and got out of the car. A huge smile grew on my face. “Kitsunimi, hey don’t look at me like that.”
I leaned closer to him and whispered, “Piggy back ride?”
“Piggy back ride.”
I rode that way until we got back to the corner. “Wee!” he sat me down. “Back hurt?”
“No, but you’re heavier than you look.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I grabbed his hand and smiled as we walked down my street. “It’s a gorgeous night out. The moon is glowing so bright and beautiful.”
“It really is.” He smiled at me.
We continue toward my house and near the woods. I stop and pull on the back of Taikineko’s shirt.
“What is it?”
“Did you hear that?” I whisper.
“No, it was nothing. We’re nearly there.”
We continue farther passed. “There it is again.”
“I heard it too this time.” I look around and see a Shiba Inu puppy with a silver coat sitting just inside the woods. “Ahh, it’s a dog.” Taikineko runs and hides behind me.
“Oh, it’s just a cute little puppy, come here puppy, come here.”
“Grrr, I’m not a puppy girl. I’m a furious demon, bow to me.”
“You’re a dog demon?”
“Of course I am. There’s no such thing as a talking dog.”
“Oh.”
“Stay away from him Kit, dog and fox demons are natural enemies.”
I turn back and give him a big smile, “well, I’m only part fox demon, aren’t I? And besides he’s so cute.”
“Oh, I see. So, you are both demons too. I may have actually have to fight to get the map.”
“The Nephrite Shrine map? Why would you want that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? To become stronger, of course.”
“What? Taikineko you never told me that was a possibility.”
“It’s only legend.”
“This whole thing is only legend, stupid.”
“Don’t call me stupid you moron.”
“Who’s the real moron, me or the baby hiding from a cute puppy?”
“Will you two lovers stop bickering?”
I start to storm toward him. How dare he say that? “What are you doing?” Taikineko grabs my wrist.
“Huh? Let go. I need to teach that little doggy a lesson.”
“He’s not worth it.”
“I’m waiting.”
“Just shut up already, even with the first piece you can’t get the rest with out the key. Go away and do something better with you time.”
“Oh, I totally forgot about the key. You’re this key, aren’t you girl.”
“STOP CALLING ME GIRL!”
He transforms into a small boy. “He’s just a child,” Taikineko gasps.
“I am not a kid. I am the demon that will kill you.”
“You’re SO CUTE.” I walk up and kneel in front of him.
“I am not cute. I’m evil and deadly.” He starts to cry.
“If you’re so evil why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying. I just need more strength. You can’t be cute and strong. I need to help my mama.”
I look into his teary eyes, “what happened to your mama?”
“They took here away from me,” He wipes at his nose.
“Who?” Taikineko even seems a bit worried.
“I don’t know, all I know is I need her back.”
“We’ll help you.”
“WHAT?!?”
“Yes,” I look at Taikineko; then back to the boy. “We can help you get your mom back, but we will never help make a stronger demon, got that?”
“Yes ma’am, thank you,” He bows to me.
“There’s no need for that. Taikineko, should we keep him as a dog or as a boy.”
“I was thinking not at all.”
“I promised that I’d help him.”
“Well you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“And why can’t I help him?”
“We have no clue what actually happened, who these guys are, or anything at all.”
“I made a promise to help and I’m helping, even if you won’t. Now then, I’m Kitsunimi Tanaka and that over there is Taikineko Akimoto. What’s your name?”
“I’m Hideaki, Hideaki Itou.”
“Alright Hideaki, can you turn back into a dog so you can stay at my place.”
“Yeah sure, but why?”
“My mom should be okay with a stray dog; I’m not sure what’d she think about a stray kid.” He turns back in to a dog and I start going down the sidewalk again. “My house is right up there.” He starts to follow me down the street. “What aren’t you coming?”
“I’m going home?”
“Come on Taikineko.”
“Come on what, you know you can’t help us both.”
“You’re so weird.” I go up to him, grab his hand and look into his eyes.
“It’s not going to work this time. I’m leaving.” He shoves me down and walks away.
“Taikineko,” I cry, but he keeps going. “Fine, we don’t need your help.” I storm toward Hideaki and pick him up. “It’s late, let’s get home.”
We sneak inside and head up to my room. “You can sleep in here as long as you don’t piddle on the carpet.”
“Um, I can you the human bathroom.”
“Good, I really didn’t expect that.” I wipe away at my eyes.
“Are you crying?”
“No, I just yawned. My eyes water when I yawn.”
“Oh good night.”
“Good night.”
The next morning I’m awaken by my mother calling to me from downstairs. “Kit, Ami’s here.”
“Oh no, oh no. not now.” I totally forgot about inviting her over.
“Kitsunimi, what an Ami?”
“Ami’s my best friend.” I quickly change into a clean skirt and shirt.
“Is she a demon too?”
“No she’s human.”
“Gross, lowly humans.”
“I’m mostly human.” I brush my hair into a puffy mess.
“Oh yes.”
“Are you hungry?” I throw my hair up into a ponytail.
“A bit.”
“Do you eat dog food?”
“Barf no.”
“What then?”
“Not that.”
“What do you eat?”
“Raw meat’s good.”
“Hamburger?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go see if my mom will defrost you some.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t talk to anyone expect me, got it?” I pick him up and carry him down stairs. “Mom I found this puppy, cold and wet on the side of the road last night when I got up to get a drink.”
“From outside?”
“Um, I looked out the window and saw him. Can we keep him?”
“He’s pretty cute, so I guess we can, unless the real owner comes to claim him.”
“Great, can you get him some hamburger?”
“Can’t we feed him dog food?”
“Dog food gives him a stomach ache.”
“Um, okay. Ami’s waiting outside.”
“Oh yeah. Stay in here Hideaki.”
“Hideaki?”
“Yep.”