Chapter SIX
Chizu sat huddled by the fire Karasu-Tengu had made, eating some dried fish and fruit the cat had brought along for the trip. The ground was damp, and her clothes were still drying out from the rain. Karasu-Tengu had flown above the clouds for most of the trip, but eventually she moved below them in an attempt to locate the Nine-tail's cave. They had flown through the chilly drizzle, scanning every mountainous area for miles, but to no avail.
"We should have asked more townspeople," Chizu muttered, chewing on a fish that needed more salt.
Karasu-Tengu had been sitting in a meditative position while staring at the fire. Her beak, downturned in the usual stern frown, deepened into more of a scowl at Chizu's words.
"We asked plenty of townspeople, and they all gave us terrible directions. I think we're even more out of the way now."
Chizu's tail lashed. She knew she should hold back, but she was irritated from the long, fruitless day. "I hardly think you can blame them when you haven't been able to find this cave you swore you had visited before."
The raven Yokai clacked her beak angrily. "I've been gone for almost three hundred years, and the land has changed since then. I have an excuse." She pulled out some seeds from a hidden pouch and snapped them up one by one. "At this rate, he'll be long dead by the time we find him."
Chizu's ears flattened and she hugged her knees, curling her tail around her toes. "Don't say that."
Karasu-Tengu studied her. "Why not?"
Hot tars sprang to her eyes but she hastily blinked them back. "Because I can't think of what I'll do if I lose him. After leaving my ninja clan, I've been doing everything I can to help him and his friends. I don't really know who I am without him."
She stared into the flames, startled by her own words.
"Sorry, that was overdramatic. I didn't really mean that."
"Yes, you did."
The raven Yokai leaned forward, looking at her intently over the flames. "Chizu. I care about this rabbit as much as you do. He is my pupil, but I have also come to respect and enjoy his company as that of a trusted friend's. But he is still a mere mortal. Our time on this earth comes to an end, and so do the lives of those we love. You cannot let your identity be wrapped up in something that is mortal, but rather, something that lasts forever." She waved her hands around at the beautiful maple trees and lush grass that glittered in the firelight. "Nature is who I am. She is always changing, moving in an endless dance of seasons, but she remains here and will always remain. I will keep these forests and meadows healthy and strong as long as I live, and in return they will always be my sanctuary."
Chizu chewed thoughtfully on a bite of food. She felt sad that Karasu-Tengu's source of worship was the Maker's creation, and not the Maker himself, but she was too weary to start an argument at this time. She had heard from Yuichi that he had already discussed the topic with her many times, but the crow Yokai was unmovable in her beliefs.
However, she had brought up an excellent point, and it convicted Chizu to her core.
I can't focus my identity on Yuichi, despite all he has done for me.
"You're right. Even without Yuichi, I have the One who created me and everything else. He is who I live for."
Karasu-Tengu's expression was unreadable as she continued to study her companion. "So, you're a follower of The Way like Yuichi. Doesn't surprise me."
Chizu laid her carry sack beside her. "I'm sorry for yelling at you just now. You've been so kind and helpful to help me search for him. I hope you sleep well tonight." She curled into a ball and listened to the crackling fire. There could be dangers lurking in these woods, but she felt safe with the powerful creature keeping her company. I don't really know who I am without my clan and without Yuichi. Maker, would you show me how to find myself?
Her heart ached in more ways than one. She wanted to keep praying longer, but before she knew it the exhausted cat had slipped into a deep slumber.
It was late afternoon of the next day when they found the cave they desperately sought. Once Karasu-Tengu had spotted the giant flowery fields that once belonged to Lady Kitsune-Mari it hadn't taken her long to track down the Nine-tails' fortress. Now, she and Chizu sat crouched by some trees and bushes for cover, studying the giant rockscape. The limestone ran high up the mountain side and was broken occasionally by scrubs, loose boulders, and trees. She thought she could make out some small carved openings that were windows or exits. Karasu-Tengu pointed towards some of them with her long clawed hands.
"Do you see those windows? Their archers use them to fire at approaching enemies. Thankfully, their arrows are too weak to pierce my body. Here's the plan. I will distract the Nine-tails while you sneak in through one of their tunnels. They have some hidden escape exits that lead throughout the fortress."
Chizu squinted at what looked like movement in one of the windows. I hope they can't see me.
"I have a better idea," she said. "You're a Yokai, a creature with supernatural abilities to traverse the fourth dimension. You can even change shape. Why don't you just disguise yourself as a fox, go in there and find Yuichi, and sneak out while I keep lookout? I've seen what you're capable of."
Karasu-Tengu sighed, tracing the gold armored plate on her left arm. "I would. But, if the townspeople we spoke to are telling the truth about Lady Hikaru being a kitsune like Lady Kitsune-Mari, she is sensitive to the presence of Yokai. She would likely detect me as soon as I enter the fortress, and I don't fight well in enclosed spaces."
Chizu's tail flicked unhappily. "So you're going to leave it entirely up to me? Don't tell me you're scared of kitsunes."
She had meant the line sarcastically, but Karasu-Tengu noticeably flinched at her words.
"Actually, I am," she said in her gravelly voice, avoiding Chizu's gaze. "I snuck into Lady Kitsune-Mari's cavern once and barely escaped with my life. Kitsunes have supernatural abilities as well, and they can become terrifying creatures when provoked. I would much rather face her out in an open field then cramped in a cave where I can't fly."
Chizu had never seen a kitsune before. They were rare, and most of them were nobles who lives tucked away in their palaces. But from the stories she had heard, she believed the crow Yokai.
"Ok, so you'll be the distraction, I guess. But how am I supposed to get around without being killed if it's so cramped in there?"
Karasu-Tengu turned her head sharply at a distant cracking noise, scanning the forest around them with her sharp bird eyes. "They had a bad cave-in during an earthquake that killed many of their members. Since then, they have fortified the upper walls with an abundance of support beams. You should be able to sneak through that way and avoid detection. You are a ninja, after all."
"Used to be." Chizu's body buzzed with adrenaline. She was afraid to make a move, but she had waited so long to find this fortress that part of her was dying to go in. "Ok. Fine, I'll do it. But if – when – Yuichi and I make it out, you better protect us from getting shot. Their archers are serious marksmen."
Karasu-Tengu didn't respond for a few seconds, instead staring into space as a dark look crossed her face. Chizu knew what she was thinking about.
"He's alive, I just know it," she whispered, fighting the pit of dread in her stomach. "Miyako said very clearly she wanted him taken alive. Surely, they haven't killed him yet."
Karasu-Tengu turned her intense glare onto Chizu. "Please, keep hoping for the best, cat, because my heart is not so hopeful. I know how cruel these Nine-tails can be." She pulled her gleaming golden weapon from her back and transformed it into a giant sword. Her voice hardened with bitterness. "I'll make these hounds pay for taking my pupil, and if they've killed him, I'll make them pay with their lives."
Chizu frowned. She knew vengeance was not encouraged by the Maker, but she knew better than to try convincing the fuming Yokai otherwise. Slowly, cautiously, she rose to her feet, studying the rock wall in search of any entrances. "I think I spy a hole I can get through," she said.
Karasu-Tengu gripped her weapon tighter. "When I transform this into a hammer and hit the ground, that will be a sign to you to make a run for it. Understood?"
Chizu nodded. She dipped a slight bow to her companion. "Thank you for accompanying me and putting yourself as such risk to help my friend. I'll forever be in your debt."
"You are not in my debt, Chizu," the crow Yokai said sternly. "Nothing on this earth could keep me from helping my pupil." She paused, as though she wanted to say more but was holding back. "He is…one of the noblest souls I have met. I am honored to be of help to him." She paused again. "You can't tell him I told you that. Understood?"
Chizu almost smiled. "You have my word."
She drew back as Karasu-Tengu strode out of the safety of the forest into the opening before the cave. She spread her four wings wide in a fierce and elegant display and raised her voice into a commanding shriek.
"I know you can hear me! I, Karasu-Tengu, Yokai Raven of the Silver forest, command you to let my esteemed pupil Yuichi Usagi go. I intend on leaving here with him alive, even if that means leaving all of you dead."
Chizu blinked in surprise as she huddled in the shadow of a tree, every muscle tensed. Wow. Karasu-Tengu can be very intimidating when she wants to be.
"If you don't come out immediately, I'll bring this whole cave to the ground!" the crow bellowed. "Do not doubt my abilities!"
The doors creaked open, and Chizu squinted to see who it was. Miyako walked towards Karasu-Tengu, with a confident yet cautious stride, and gave a stiff bow.
"Greetings, Madam Karasu-Tengu. Regretfully, your pupil cannot be released. He must pay the price for the murderous choices of his ancestor Miyamoto Usagi. If you wish to leave here with your life, I would suggest you do so now. We will not give you another opportunity."
Karasu-Tengu's wings flared out even further and she drew herself up to her full height, towering over the fox. Her voice was as dark as thunder. "Wrong answer." Her sword swung high.
"Archers!" Miyako barked, unsheathing her axe.
Thin iron-tipped missiles flew from various holes in the cavern's walls. Chizu cringed, but the deadly arrows glanced off of the Yokai's hard body and wings. The crow raised her giant golden sword and brought it down swiftly, nearly slicing her adversary in half.
"Take her down!" Miyako shrieked. "We cannot let her through those doors!"
Like water pouring through cracks in a damaged cistern, foxes streamed out of the cliff face, brandishing axes, knives, swords, and various other weapons.
Chizu's eyes locked on a partially-exposed archer about halfway up the cliff-face who had not joined the others. She calculated the quickest path up the rocks, praying she would not be seen while making the attempt.
Screeching, crying, and clattering weapons bombarded Chizu's sensitive hearing as Karasu-Tengu engaged in a fierce battle with the horde of foxes. Despite several bloody bodies on the ground, Chizu could tell the Yokai was holding back. She wants them to think they can win so they stay focused on her.
Suddenly Karasu-Tengu transformed the sword into a giant hammer and struck the ground violently, knocking nearly all her attackers down with the shockwaves that emanated from the weapon. The signal!
Chizu swept forward with the speed and agility of a darting riverwhip. Her body moving faster than her mind could follow, she ran, leapt, and clawed her way up the rock face, moving in a mostly sideways direction. Her rigorous ninja training paid off; she found herself just above the archer, undetected. Instinctively she pulled out her naginata and held it blade down, but upon second-thought she switched it to hilt-first and lunged onto the fox. Her back legs slammed into the fox's back, and her hilt smashed into the back of her skull to ensure she would be knocked unconscious. The fox lay limply, her tongue lolling out of her mouth, causing Chizu to feel a twinge of guilt. I hope I didn't kill her. I think it would be justified, but I know the Maker doesn't delight in death. Besides…I know where she's going.
A screech of pain from Karasu-Tengu made her jerk back to attention. They must have finally landed a hit on her, though Chizu couldn't see any blood. She slipped through the small entrance in the rocks and in the next moment, she was in.