7 THE TANUKI
Hideko led them through the forest for about ten minutes. Shinsou observed that she had now changed her appearance, for her hair had become waist-length and assumed a hairstyle worn during the late Edo period, with the front hair pulled back and tied with a ribbon, while another ribbon secured the long hair at the back. She had discarded her multi-layered robe for a simple dark green one, and her feet were bare.
He could see Hanayo talking animatedly to the kitsune, presumably recounting the entire story of their journey. Hideko would occasionally turn around and smile at the two men behind her, as if she found the tale highly entertaining.
The trees around them were becoming taller and broader in girth, and there was a woodsy, pungent aroma in the air. They had come to a grove of huge camphor trees, their pale bark rough and fissured, the leaves glossy and waxy. Hideko handed Aki's halter rope to Shigeru and reassumed her fox-form. She went up to the largest camphor tree, head lowered, examining its roots. She presently located an opening between them, and went down and in. They followed, and saw that there was a short flight of stairs there.
The stairs led to a small, open space among the roots beneath the tree, illuminated in the light from Hideko's floating hoshi no tama. Hideko, looking up among the roots, then located another small flight of steps leading upward to what appeared to be a small trapdoor.
She tapped on the trapdoor. "Chagama-san!" she called.
There was no reply, but Shinsou thought he heard the sound of scurrying feet.
Hideko tapped again. "Chagama-san!"
Finally, she pushed the trapdoor upward. It opened, and she disappeared through it, nodding at the others to follow.
The camphor tree looked as if it was completely hollow, for the room that they entered filled the entire width of the tree. It was some six metres in diameter, and the floor was covered with tatami matting. The ceiling was high enough that Shigeru, who was the tallest of the visitors (Hideko was still in her fox-form) could stand without having to bow his head. It was a cosy and inviting room, and it was obvious where its owner's interests lay, for it consisted entirely of a kitchen-cum-dining room. Shelves lined one section of the wall, neatly packed with herbs, bottles of flavouring and spices. Another section of the wall was covered with a variety of pots, kettles, platters, serving dishes and soup tureens.
There was a fireplace at one end of the room, and next to it was a low table with a half-finished meal on it. A large, round Japanese teakettle sat on another side table.
The room was empty. A spiral staircase led upwards to another floor, and Hideko promptly made her way up, followed by the others. The upper floor had a small bed in one corner, but otherwise the rest of the room was filled with barrels and boxes full of provisions. Onions hung from the ceiling, having been made into long ropes, braided together by their tops. Wreaths of red peppers dangled next to them, strung on threads. Hams and venison hung in paper wrappings.
"Looks like there's no one here," said Shigeru, looking at Hideko.
"Let us go back down," she said, and began descending the stairs.
When they had reached the bottom, the kitsune turned to Shinsou.
"Shinsou-san," she said pleasantly, "Do you see that broom in the corner? And that teakettle on the side table? Please take the broom, and hit the teakettle with it as hard as you can. I sense a malignant spirit existing within it; it may have done away with the occupant of this house."
Shinsou didn't know what to make of this, but he went over and got the broom, and then raised it and brought it smashing down onto the side table. However, the teakettle was no longer there; it had somehow grown legs, and before the broom could make contact with it, it had suddenly stood up, leapt off the table, and retired to a corner.
Hanayo gave a small squeal of delight.
"Oh, kawaii!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands.
A head had now also popped out of the teakettle. It had a sad, raccoonlike face, and it was looking at all the people in the room with a rather guilty and fearful expression.
"Chagama-san, good evening," said Hideko, bowing.
There was a small pop! and the teakettle disappeared. A tanuki, or raccoon dog, stood there instead.
"Hideko-sama, it is an honour to host you in my home," he said, bowing in return.
"Minna-san," said Hideko to the others, "May I present Ponta, a tanuki of good family and high repute. Pon-chan, my sincere apologies for intruding upon your noble home. May I present my friends who have come from far away to visit you."
She proceeded to introduce each of the group in turn, with Ponta giving his quaint bobbing bow to each. She left Hanayo to the last, and Ponta seemed quite overcome to discover that there was royalty in his house.
"Welcome, Highness," he said, blushing and bowing continuously, "My humble house is not fit to receive such noble guests."
"Now, Chagama-san," said Hideko, "May I ask why you did not answer the door, and disguised yourself as a teakettle on the table?"
"O Hideko-sama," said Ponta sheepishly, "I know that when you look for me, you are going to set out on some journey. And Ponta is getting too old for such adventures."
"Come, now, Tanu-kun," said Hideko, "You are an infant compared to me. And you know that I would not look for you if the matter were not urgent. Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi has been stolen, and we have to get it back."
"Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi?" said Ponta, looking fearful, "Stolen?"
"Yes," said Hideko, "It was stolen from Atsuta Shrine, and is now in Shimonoseki. We must get it back. You must come with us, for you can aid us a great deal. We are travelling light through the mountains, and we need someone to take care of provisions for the journey. Come, do not disappoint the princess."
Ponta gazed at the group, his eyes big and doubtful. Shigeru whispered to Hanayo, "Hanayo-hime, he likes you. Try to encourage him."
Hanayo looked at him, startled, but then a naughty twinkle came into her eyes. She turned and, going forward, crouched down in front of the tanuki.
"O noble Ponta, wisest of all tanukis,"she said, clasping her hands and gazing earnestly into his blushing face, "I entreat you to come with us! Our mission will fail without you. It was Inari herself who spoke to us and said that we cannot depart without the brave and talented Ponta. Her blessings will be upon you if you agree to be our esteemed companion!"
Ponta seemed quite overwhelmed by this speech. He gazed at Hanayo, his eyes popping out of his head. She had chosen her words well, for Inari was the deity of rice and abundance, and the tanuki had the horrific vision of his larder being cursed into depletion if he refused to accompany them.
"O Hanayo-hime, most beautiful of the children of Jimmu, how can Ponta refuse? Yes, I will come," he said, blushing as red as a beet.
"Well said, Tanu-kun," said Hideko, approvingly.
"Have the noble guests supped yet?" enquired the tanuki deferentially, "If they are willing to share Ponta's humble victuals, he can provide them with a simple dinner."
"That would be excellent, Tanu-kun," said Hideko, "And if I am not mistaken, do you not have a guest house nearby? – "
"Of course! Of course!" said Ponta, looking flustered. He began running around, clearing the dishes off his dining table, and then wiping the table and pushing it into the centre of the room.
"If it's too much trouble, we could set the tent up instead," said Shigeru, looking at Ponta in concern.
"No, no, no, no trouble at all," said Ponta nervously, scattering cushions around the dining table. "The guest house is just nearby. If the noble guests would be seated, dinner will be served shortly."
"Well, how did I do?" said Hanayo coyly, as she took a seat at the table beside Shinsou.
"Do what?" asked Shinsou, puzzled.
"I persuaded him quite well, didn't I?" she said, preening herself.
"Oh, that," said Shinsou, amused, "Not bad. Perhaps it was a bit overdone."
"It went excellently well," said Shigeru hastily, seeing Hanayo's look of indignation, "You were very eloquent."
"I'd like to see you persuade him, then," said Hanayo waspishly, looking in annoyance at Shinsou.
"Certainly," said Shinsou calmly, "If all else failed, I could have brainwashed him into coming."
"Well, why didn't you, then?" she snapped.
"Children, children, do not fight," remonstrated Hideko, "We have not even commenced on our journey together, and you will frighten Ponta if you keep bickering. His is a rather nervous disposition."
"Maybe we should help him," said Shinsou, looking at Ponta in concern. He was running up and down, his arms and legs a blur, stirring a cauldron of soup over his fire, muttering to himself, laying bowls on his counter, and scattering spices around.
"Oh no, no no, no need," exclaimed Ponta, overhearing him. He poured soup into the bowls, and then brought them over to the dining table. Each bowl was full of udon noodles in steaming hot soup.
"That was amazingly fast," said Shinsou, impressed.
"Please eat, minna-san," said Ponta humbly. He hurried off back to the kitchen counter, and began to wash dishes.
"I will help him," said Hideko, assuming her human form, "for I had already supped, before I met you." She made her way over to Ponta.
"Oh, this is so good!" exclaimed Hanayo, tucking into her noodles, "it's such a change from what we've been eating!"
She saw Shigeru and Shinsou exchanging amused glances, and glared at them. "What?"
"Nothing," said Shinsou, mildly.
"I saw you looking at each other!" said Hanayo.
"Highness, you're too sensitive," said Shigeru with a straight face, "We're sitting opposite each other. We have to look at each other sometimes."
"Why don't you just say that you don't like my cooking?" snapped Hanayo, her eyes flashing.
"Children, do not fight," said Hideko from the basin, her back to them as she washed Ponta's dishes.
Once dinner was over, Ponta led them over to another camphor tree which, he explained, he kept as a guest house for visitors or relatives. It had tatami matting laid out on the floors, and four comfortable futons, two upstairs and two downstairs; and there was even an onsen near the tree. Hanayo immediately took possession of the room upstairs, and went off to have a long, hot soak. Shinsou and Shigeru were discussing whether one of them should keep watch overnight, for Aki the mare was tethered outside, but Hideko said, "I will keep watch. For I require no sleep. You had best have a good rest, for it will be some time before you get to sleep in comfort again."
.
.
The forest was shrouded in fog the following morning. Shigeru went upstairs around 6am to call the princess, but she refused to get out of bed.
"What time is it?" she mumbled, when he tried to rouse her. "What? 6am? Are you mad? I'm not getting up yet … this bed is like heaven after sleeping in the tent. Just another five minutes." She covered her head with her pillow.
"She's not listening to me, brother," said Shigeru, coming back down, "You have a shot at waking her."
Shinsou went up.
"Time to get up," he said firmly, pulling the blanket off Hanayo.
"Stop that!" she squeaked, and then her face went blank.
"Get up and change your clothes and pack your things," ordered Shinsou, "Be ready to come down in ten minutes." He went back down.
.
.
The fog was lifting by the time they left. Ponta was carrying a big sack, and had donned a straw hat. He walked along, humming to himself, occasionally drumming along to his song on his tummy, and taking a swig from a small bottle of sake. Hideko was in her fox-form. She noticed Hanayo staring at Shinsou and Shigeru, and asked her if anything was the matter.
"I'm just seeing what they really look like," she explained, "I've never really seen them without those disguises on."
Hideko had told the group that they might as well dispense with their disguises for the time being, since the Tosa dogs had already recognised them the previous day. She could create what she called a "mantle of invisibility" about them, so that no one could see them, and they would leave no tracks. They could see it vaguely now as they walked, a faint shimmering in the air around them.
She had also told them that she and Ponta could temporarily disguise them, if necessary. For not only could she and Ponta shapeshift, they could also merge with another person and change his appearance. She had demonstrated this for them that morning, merging with first Shigeru and then Shinsou and Hanayo, and changing them to look as they had the previous night, when they'd still had their disguises on.
Shinsou found it an interesting experience merging with her. He found that his mind could touch hers, and in it there was a sense of time reaching back far into the past, making him realise how ancient she really was. He also found that while merged, he could communicate with her by thought quite easily.
"It is easy to talk to Shinsou-san in my head," she said after that, when she had separated herself out again, "He is used to using his mind because of his Quirk. It is harder for Yanigahara-san and Hanayo-hime."
Hanayo responded to this by giving a loud sniff. Shinsou had woken her from her brainwashed state because they had wanted her to try out the merging, and she was still angry at discovering that she had been brainwashed and forced out of bed.
"I must say, this takes some getting used to," admitted Shigeru, "Interesting experience, though."
Ponta had also merged with them. Shinsou found that in this case, there were a lot of thoughts about food in his head.
My apologies, Shinsou-san, he heard Ponta saying in his head, I am afraid that Ponta is always hungry.
Hanayo also commented on this later, when she had mounted Aki, and they had started on their way.
"Merging with Pon-chan makes me hungry," she said, "He's always thinking about eating."
Shigeru laughed raucously.
"That's harmless enough," he said, "He saw what I'm always thinking of. Didn't you, Ponta-kun?"
Ponta blushed red as a beet.
"What's that?" asked Hanayo, staring, and then went red with embarrassment when she realised what he meant.
"Hideko didn't mind, though," said Shigeru, giving the fox a sidelong glance.
"I know all about men," said Hideko primly, "I have lived among men before."
"And probably seduced all of them, too," said Shigeru admiringly, "How I envy them!"
Hanayo looked shocked. "You're such a shameless pervert!"
"I am," agreed Shigeru, quite unabashed, "More so than my brother, here. Have you looked your fill at him yet, princess? I noticed you looking. Don't you think he looks handsomer as his real self, instead of being in disguise? Did you enjoy holding him tightly yesterday, during the chase?"
Shinsou was leading Aki the mare. He turned around, amused, but said nothing. He figured that one of them arguing with Hanayo at a time was enough.
"I wasn't looking!" said Hanayo, blushing and looking agitated, "He's walking in front with the halter rope, so of course I have to look in that direction!"
"Hush, child," said Hideko gently, "You get worked up too easily."
They soon discovered why Hideko had brought Ponta along. He continually had their next meal on his mind, and he kept collecting food along the way. He would stop at a stream, telling them to continue without him, and then somehow catch up with them after having caught three or four fish. Or he would collect berries or mushrooms and stuff them into his sack. He even managed to catch a rabbit.
He was amazingly fast preparing every meal as well. His sack seemed a lot bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside, for he was able to extract a bewildering variety of pots and pans from its depths, as well as bottles of seasoning and spices.
Hanayo couldn't bring herself to watch him skin the rabbit.
"The poor little bunny," she said, when they were ladling the rabbit stew out, later.
"Hana-chan, you do not have to eat it if you do not want to," Hideko pointed out, "You can have the fish and vegetables, instead."
The rabbit stew was delicious, though, and the princess held on to her bowl.
"It would be a waste of Ponta's efforts if I didn't eat it," she said. She saw Shinsou's expression, and glared at him. "What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing," said Shinsou.
"Nothing?" said Hanayo dangerously, "Nothing? That's all you say whenever I ask you anything, now!"
"Well, if I say anything else, you start arguing with me," Shinsou pointed out.
"Well, that's because you're so exasperating!" said Hanayo.
"Brother, I keep telling you to fawn over her, the way I do," said Shigeru, "You shouldn't keep quiet. Girls like falling for the strong and silent type."
"Shut up, Shigeru!" said Hanayo fiercely, going red.
"What ridiculous things you children do argue about," remarked Hideko, "Hanayo-hime, do not get angry with the gentlemen so easily. You should conduct yourself with more dignity, and be more polite, as befits a daughter of Jimmu."
Hanayo flushed, for she respected the kitsune, and wanted Hideko to think well of her.
"They're always picking on me," she said, sulkily.
"You are very young, are you not?" said Hideko, "If you want to win the gentlemen's respect, getting angry at every single little thing is not the way. And spare a thought for Pon-chan. He is a gentle soul, and he will get upset if you are quarrelling all the time."
The exchange did not seem to have upset Ponta, however. He had finished his stew, and gave a satisfied belch. He was already planning what to cook for the next meal.
After lunch, Hanayo invited Ponta to ride on Aki with her. He sat in front of her, and she was happy, cuddling him like a big teddy bear. She had quite a long conversation with him, and when late afternoon was approaching, he dismounted and told Shigeru that he would prepare dinner slightly late, for there was a village nearby and he wanted to buy some shoku pan, or bread, there.
"Shoku pan?" said Shigeru, "We don't really need it, do we?"
"O well, it's for variety, don't you know," said Ponta, looking rather guilty, "Ponta can't bake while travelling, and whenever he can, if there's a village nearby, he stops by and purchases whatever he can't make himself, along the way."
"You know, you don't always have to do the cooking, Pon-chan," said Shinsou, "By all means treat yourself to bread tonight, if you want. We can cook dinner."
"It's all right, Ponta should be back soon enough," stammered Ponta, looking slightly flustered.
"Well, have you got money?" asked Shigeru, "We can give you some."
"O, I don't need money," said Ponta, brightening. He picked up some leaves from the forest floor, and lo and behold, they transformed into yen notes in his paw.
Shinsou frowned.
"Is that permanent, or is it going to change back into leaves after a while?" he asked.
"Change back," answered Ponta, looking guilty.
Shigeru laughed uproariously, and then took some notes out of his wallet.
"That's a typical tanuki trick," he said, giving the notes to Ponta, "but we really don't need to deprive the baker of his living. While you're with us, you can use real money. Just ask Shinsou or me whenever you need it."
"Yes, Yanigahara-san," said Ponta, nodding and obediently tucking the money away.
He went off soon after, but came back with the shoku pan in time to cook a late dinner. As they gathered around the fire, Shigeru suddenly noticed something.
"Where did you get those clothes?" he said, to Hanayo.
She had discarded the shirt that she had been wearing, and was now wearing a flowered blouse.
"Ponta bought some clothes for me, just now," she said demurely, "I'm tired of looking ugly and wearing boy's clothes, and we don't need to be in disguise any more."
"Is that why he went to the village?" demanded Shinsou, "He didn't really want shoku pan, did he? You talked him into it!"
"No, no, Shinsou-san, Ponta wanted shoku pan as well," said Ponta, looking worried.
"Well, how did you pay for it?" asked Shinsou, "With those leaves? We only gave you enough money for bread!"
Ponta looked decidedly guilty.
"Brother, this is your fault," said Shigeru, shaking his head, and looking mournfully at Shinsou.
"My fault?" said Shinsou, staring at him, "What on earth are you talking about?"
"If you would show some interest in the princess, she wouldn't keep trying to do things to attract you, like dress up," said Shigeru, grinning.
"Shut up, Shigeru!" said Hanayo, going red.
"Yanigahara-san, please do not keep making suggestive remarks about the two of them," said Hideko reprovingly, "This will not end well."
"It's only for entertainment, Hideko-san," said Shigeru lightheartedly, and then looked at Hanayo. "Highness, you look beautiful even when you dress like a boy. I assure you, there is no need to make any extra attempt to catch my brother's eye."
"Ponta, please don't do this in future," said Shinsou firmly, turning to the tanuki, "If you use those leaves for money, it's like stealing. Don't listen to the princess or let her bully you around again."
"Yes, Shinsou-san," said Ponta humbly, "I am sorry."
"I didn't bully him!" said Hanayo defensively, "He did say that he wanted shoku pan!"
"Well, he didn't pay for the clothes properly," said Shinsou sternly, "If you want to do extra shopping, ask me or Shigeru for money first."
"But you wouldn't have agreed if I had asked you!" protested Hanayo, "Why don't you just give me some money, and then I can decide how I want to use it!"
"We don't have money to throw away on unnecessary things," said Shinsou acidly, "and since you're unable to discern what is necessary and what isn't, you're not getting any."
"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't thrown my jewellery away!" she flashed at him.
"Well, you shouldn't have masqueraded as your lady-in-waiting, then!" retorted Shinsou.
"Stop quarrelling, children!" exclaimed Hideko, "or save it for after dinner! Pon-chan has gone to the trouble to cook all this, and if you continue, no one will have the appetite to eat!"
They started on the food, but none of them was much in the mood for eating any more. Shinsou took his plate and went some distance away to eat, to avoid starting another argument with the princess. Even Ponta seemed to have lost heart, and sat staring mournfully at his plate, because he felt that he had been scolded, and also thought that nobody was eating his food. Hanayo looked at him for a while, and then got up and went over to him, and gave him a hug.
"I'm sorry, Pon-chan," she said.
Two big tears welled up in his eyes.
"There, there," said Hideko, "Yanigahara-san and I are enjoying the food, even if the rest of you are not. We are both going to take second helpings." She looked sternly at Shigeru. "Shigeru-san, please do not keep provoking Shinsou and Hanayo! Can you not see that Shinsou-san does not care for her, but that Hanayo-hime likes him? This is not a game. Do not play around with people's feelings!"
"That's not true, I don't care for him," said Hanayo, flushing, "He's always so horrid to me."
"I shall restrain myself if it bothers you, Hideko-san," said Shigeru solemnly, "But it's all in good fun. Shinsou doesn't mind – he's used to me. And he and Hanayo will quarrel, whether I instigate them to or not. Right, princess?"
"I don't care about him," said Hanayo stubbornly, "stop saying that I do."
Hideko looked gravely at her.
"Hana-chan, why do you do this?" she asked gently, "You should not deceive yourself. Do not hope for what you cannot have. You will only hurt yourself in the end."
Hanayo opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it. She seemed to be thinking, staring at the kitsune, as if deliberating over something.
"Hideko-san, I know she likes him, but it's only a crush," said Shigeru cheerfully, "It comes mostly from her pride, because this is the first time that she's met a man who's not interested in her. It's an experience she has to go through, and it'll do her good. She'll get over it."
Hideko was looking severely at Shigeru, her green eyes glinting in the firelight.
"Yanigahara-san, I am very fond of you, but sometimes you are very unwise," she said sternly, "you should not exacerbate this situation. You had best focus on what is important – getting Kusanagi no Tsurugi back. I shall pick up the pace, tomorrow. The sooner I get all of you through these mountains, the better. The two of them cannot even have a conversation without arguing, and there is no necessity for you to add more fuel to the fire. I tell you, if you continue like this, things will not turn out well for all parties involved, including yourself."
