hosts, who froze in shock. Their respective social positions being what they were, she should have had no reason to bow low to them.
“I have come to tell you reports of Sanae’s death were untrue. I regret speaking falsehood without knowing.”
The father swelled. “She’s alive? How wonderful! Seiji has mourned her loss for so long.”
The mother was more cautious. “Was she left behind on the battleground, for nobody to know she was alive? Is she badly wounded, the poor thing?” Sanae read the underlying concern: is she too ugly or maimed for my son?
Akahana sighed, her face grave. “Sanae, show yourself.”
With a swirl of energy, Sanae gathered herself into physically at her mother’s side. She adopted glowing eyes and made her fangs more prominent. Furthermore, she made her body transparent, to ensure she looked truly ghost-like. Yes, Mother.
“My daughter,” Akahana said to the stunned parents, “is a true fox spirit. Since we had promised her hand to Seiji, we are prepared to respect the engagement and celebrate the wedding. There will be limitations to such a match, I’m afraid, but since there will be no children for us to raise, she may live with her husband in this house.”
Seiji’s parents looked like rabbits before a wolf, alarm showing through the cracks of their composure. Anybody would have been petrified at the idea of welcoming a ghost in their home. Yet to go back on their engagement with the Fox clan—or any samurai clan—was unthinkable. This knowledge hung thick in the room.
Akahana frowned theatrically. “What is it? Were there other arrangements? Oh—have things proceeded with Sakura without my knowledge?”
Faced with that choice, the mother jumped at what she plainly considered the better deal. “We are shamed, but what can we do? When young hearts set themselves on each other…”
“Very well,” Akahana said. “I understand and put no blame on you. The rain falls where it wills, and so does the love of youths. I wish Seiji and Sakura a happy, fruitful union.”
“We thank you for your kindness and understanding,” the father said, bowing repeatedly.
Even as they exited, Sanae could hear the heated whispers begin. She lingered to eavesdrop.
The father, angrily, “Why didn’t you correct her and say Seiji loves Hina instead?”
“And risk them discovering I lied?” the mother hissed back. “They’re not fools and I have no desire to have a ghost in my house!”
“At least the ghost would come with a dowry!”
“Never! You’ll have to repay your debts another way!”
Sanae relayed the conversation to her mother once they were outside.
“My,” Akahana said, “wasn’t it just insulting how quick they were to pick Sakura over a daughter of the Fox clan?”
Indeed, Sanae said. What kind of man wouldn’t like a ghost for a bride? It would save money on food and clothing.
“I wonder, will they dare invite us to the wedding? Will they dare not to?”
The giggling went on and on.
“Your father will not approve,” Akahana said, but she didn’t sound especially bothered by the prospect. “We did share important secrets with unworthy persons.”
Nobody would believe them if they went talking about the ghost fox bride.
They broke into fresh giggles.
I have to go, Mother, Sanae said when she noticed the sun was low on the horizon.
“Watch over your troublesome brother for me.”
I will.
In the camp, Aito was sitting by the fire, using needle and ink to finish his fourth tattoo. The calm of the scene was proof nothing significant had occurred in her absence, but she still took a second to ensure the others were all in the tent.
Sanae watched Aito finish his work. I need a shield of meat, too. I won’t be able to do anything from within somebody’s skin, but at least I’ll see what’s going on. Should I wake Yuki so we can get it done now? Pausing, she looked at Momo. Ah, there’s another option. How much do you like me, squirrel?
Aito
“I have come to tell you reports of Sanae’s death were untrue. I regret speaking falsehood without knowing.”
The father swelled. “She’s alive? How wonderful! Seiji has mourned her loss for so long.”
The mother was more cautious. “Was she left behind on the battleground, for nobody to know she was alive? Is she badly wounded, the poor thing?” Sanae read the underlying concern: is she too ugly or maimed for my son?
Akahana sighed, her face grave. “Sanae, show yourself.”
With a swirl of energy, Sanae gathered herself into physically at her mother’s side. She adopted glowing eyes and made her fangs more prominent. Furthermore, she made her body transparent, to ensure she looked truly ghost-like. Yes, Mother.
“My daughter,” Akahana said to the stunned parents, “is a true fox spirit. Since we had promised her hand to Seiji, we are prepared to respect the engagement and celebrate the wedding. There will be limitations to such a match, I’m afraid, but since there will be no children for us to raise, she may live with her husband in this house.”
Seiji’s parents looked like rabbits before a wolf, alarm showing through the cracks of their composure. Anybody would have been petrified at the idea of welcoming a ghost in their home. Yet to go back on their engagement with the Fox clan—or any samurai clan—was unthinkable. This knowledge hung thick in the room.
Akahana frowned theatrically. “What is it? Were there other arrangements? Oh—have things proceeded with Sakura without my knowledge?”
Faced with that choice, the mother jumped at what she plainly considered the better deal. “We are shamed, but what can we do? When young hearts set themselves on each other…”
“Very well,” Akahana said. “I understand and put no blame on you. The rain falls where it wills, and so does the love of youths. I wish Seiji and Sakura a happy, fruitful union.”
“We thank you for your kindness and understanding,” the father said, bowing repeatedly.
Even as they exited, Sanae could hear the heated whispers begin. She lingered to eavesdrop.
The father, angrily, “Why didn’t you correct her and say Seiji loves Hina instead?”
“And risk them discovering I lied?” the mother hissed back. “They’re not fools and I have no desire to have a ghost in my house!”
“At least the ghost would come with a dowry!”
“Never! You’ll have to repay your debts another way!”
Sanae relayed the conversation to her mother once they were outside.
“My,” Akahana said, “wasn’t it just insulting how quick they were to pick Sakura over a daughter of the Fox clan?”
Indeed, Sanae said. What kind of man wouldn’t like a ghost for a bride? It would save money on food and clothing.
“I wonder, will they dare invite us to the wedding? Will they dare not to?”
The giggling went on and on.
“Your father will not approve,” Akahana said, but she didn’t sound especially bothered by the prospect. “We did share important secrets with unworthy persons.”
Nobody would believe them if they went talking about the ghost fox bride.
They broke into fresh giggles.
I have to go, Mother, Sanae said when she noticed the sun was low on the horizon.
“Watch over your troublesome brother for me.”
I will.
In the camp, Aito was sitting by the fire, using needle and ink to finish his fourth tattoo. The calm of the scene was proof nothing significant had occurred in her absence, but she still took a second to ensure the others were all in the tent.
Sanae watched Aito finish his work. I need a shield of meat, too. I won’t be able to do anything from within somebody’s skin, but at least I’ll see what’s going on. Should I wake Yuki so we can get it done now? Pausing, she looked at Momo. Ah, there’s another option. How much do you like me, squirrel?
Aito
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