{"id":773,"date":"2014-08-18T20:42:13","date_gmt":"2014-08-18T11:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/?p=773"},"modified":"2016-06-24T09:10:08","modified_gmt":"2016-06-24T00:10:08","slug":"b2part09","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/b2part09\/","title":{"rendered":"Book II \u4e5d Part 09 (Smile)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"jisukchap9
\n<\/a>Illustration by K. Ryan<\/a><\/p>\n

When Chiyo awoke, she was only half-surprised to see she was alone. Faint trails of sunlight peeked in through the window slats, revealing a pointedly empty room.<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh,\u201d she groaned, wiping a paw over her face. \u201cIf you turned into a bug or something I\u2019m leaving you behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her complaint was met with silence, confirming the fact that Shichi had indeed wandered off somewhere. The kitsune made a few lazy stretches, shaking the sleep from her eyes before hopping out into the hallway.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

She found Shichi in the small garden behind the inn. Rather than fussing over the various plants or sitting in meditation, he was, oddly enough, fixated on the pond at the center. The small pond was clearly devoid of plant life, not to mention fish of any kind. She watched him, puzzled \u2014 it only took a moment to realize what he was doing.<\/p>\n

At first, his face was set in a stern frown, as if the water\u2019s very presence had somehow offended him. A second later the corners of his mouth lifted, quirking unevenly as he squinted at his reflection.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of expression is that supposed to be?\u201d Chiyo asked from the doorway, startling the monk upright. He instantly reddened, wishing he had heard her approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a smile,\u201d he said hesitantly. \u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a smile, that\u2019s just scary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi cleared his throat, touching the side of his face to see just how hot his skin had become. He was certain he had made some progress, though apparently his smile needed work. Taking a breath, he tried again, allowing his lips to curve into a forced grimace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s even worse,\u201d the kitsune said, cringing at the sight of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve had a century to practice this,\u201d Shichi protested. \u201cI just started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should just give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The monk sighed. Perhaps she was right; the only emotion he\u2019d been able to successfully portray thus far had been shock. It seemed he\u2019d felt quite a bit of it recently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis mouth is just so strange,\u201d he said, poking his lower lip with a flat fingertip. \u201cAnd soft.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuman mouths are great. You don\u2019t need those weird tengu cups to drink,\u201d she said with a shrug. It seemed she had noticed the difficulty he\u2019d had drinking with human utensils. At Urameshiya he had used a cup with a small spout, allowing liquids to easily slide into his beak.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with tengu cups,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd my beak can do anything your mouth can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t kiss,\u201d Chiyo said, now grinning. He was momentarily taken by her words, recalling Kana and the way she would kiss him between the eyes \u2014 as well as the way he\u2019d been unable to reciprocate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know,\u201d Shichi mumbled, drawing his eyes back to the pond.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never kissed before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no \u2014 how could I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the best!\u201d Chiyo said, her expression brightening. \u201cYou want to try, right? This might be your only chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cW-what? With you?\u201d he said, tripping over his own words. \u201cBut isn\u2019t it\u2026 isn\u2019t it personal? With someone you love?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chiyo answered him with a laugh, her tails shaking as she snickered. Shichi narrowed his eyes, failing to see the humor in his statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, how do tengu do it? With your beaks?\u201d she asked, still grinning in amusement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2026 it\u2019s\u2014 we just touch, like\u2014\u201c he attempted, the red in his cheeks intensifying. \u201cI-I\u2019ve never done it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll find that special bird lady someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not looking for a bi\u2014 er, a woman. I\u2019m a monk!\u201d Shichi insisted, knitting his brow at the insufferable kitsune.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re also a pickled plum, by the looks of your face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi instantly covered his face with both hands, able to feel the terrible heat on his palms. Though he no longer had to worry about his feathers puffing in embarrassment, he now had to live in constant fear of turning bright red.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop teasing me,\u201d the monk begged, still hiding his eyes behind his fingers. \u201cThis is hard enough as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, fine. We need to go eat breakfast, anyway. How much longer do you think we should\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Chiyo was unable to finish her question. Fortunately for the innkeeper\u2019s son, he had fully recovered from his bout of food poisoning. Unfortunately for the kitsune, he was now standing directly behind her in the foyer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh!<\/i>\u201d Munetoshi cried, his eyes locked on the talking fox. \u201cY-yokai!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d she said, rolling her eyes. \u201cTime to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair narrowly avoided the innkeeper as they departed the inn, making sure to leave the proper amount of coins on the table of their room. Luckily, Munetoshi was no braver than Shichi, having turned to run terrified in the opposite direction. As they made their way down the main street, they unanimously agreed it would be best to leave town.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should stock up before we go,\u201d Chiyo said, eyeing a stand selling sweets.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Shichi agreed. \u201cWe used quite a few herbs for the innkeeper\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right. Herbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much to the kitsune\u2019s disappointment, they returned to the medicine shop. They were once again hit with a wall of scents \u2014 of dried stems and grasses and the odor of preserved animal parts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back,\u201d the shopkeeper said, quickly recognizing Chiyo. \u201cOh, where is your bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chiyo noted that the woman looked a bit too pleased with the raven\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s, uh \u2014 he\u2019s resting. Being a bird is hard work,\u201d she said, absently gazing at the rows of hanging roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is your companion?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Shichi,\u201d he replied, bowing his head. \u201cI\u2019m a physician and a monk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA monk with hair?\u201d she asked curiously. \u201cAnd traveling with a woman?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNevermind that, don\u2019t you have some herbs to buy?\u201d Chiyo cut in before he could panic. Shichi took in a sharp breath, gathering himself before stepping past the kitsune to view the shopkeeper\u2019s wares. Luckily, he now had hands. He made mental notes of the herbs they had in their bag, calculating which types would be most efficient to carry along.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I see your dried yarrow, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman complied happily, offering Shichi one drawer after another as he asked for various ingredients. The longer she watched him, however, the more concerned her expression grew.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should purchase some turmeric, as well,\u201d she offered, now staring quite obviously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, perhaps,\u201d he said, glancing up. \u201cWhy do you\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cYour eyes look quite jaundiced, though I\u2019ve never seen it in the irises before,\u201d she said. \u201cHow strange. You should take care of your liver.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Shichi a moment to respond, unsure of exactly what she was referring to.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they left the shop, Shichi couldn\u2019t get the woman\u2019s comment out of his mind. Jaundice \u2014 why did she think he had jaundice? He quickly went through the visible signs in his mind, recalling a discoloration of the skin and eyes, specifically the color\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo,\u201d he said, his breath short as he caught her attention. \u201cAre my eyes yellow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t they always been?\u201d she said as she browsed a hat stall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWh\u2014 but\u2014\u201c he stammered. \u201cBut humans don\u2019t\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Shichi stopped himself, remembering they were out in public. He lowered his voice, glaring at his friend as he spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think it was a big deal,\u201d the kitsune said. \u201cNot all transformations are perfect. I mean, look, my hair is white.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but the shopkeeper thought I looked strange. What if\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Chiyo said, slapping a sugegasa onto his head. \u201cProblem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi faltered, taking a moment to get used to the weight on his head. Sure enough, the straw hat cast a shadow over his face, effectively hiding his eyes from view. When he thought about it, he could recall human monks occasionally wearing such hats in Osaka. Not only would it conceal his eyes, but it would also cover the fact that he had not shaved his head. It was an ideal solution. Either Chiyo was absolutely brilliant, or she had just grabbed the nearest thing to her hand in order to shut him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose this will do,\u201d he said, adjusting it over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it will,\u201d the kitsune said. \u201cI\u2019m a genius.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was then that the vendor\u2019s voice interrupted her gloating.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, are you going to pay for that?\u201d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

Shichi didn\u2019t breathe easily until they had left the town. Though he had fit in with a human body, he found himself growing increasingly conscious of his inhuman behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo,\u201d he said, adjusting the egg in the crook of his arm. \u201cDo human monks not travel with women?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but who cares? Unless you want me to leave,\u201d she answered from his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d Shichi said, shaking his head. \u201cI suppose I can\u2026 be a rebel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou? A rebel?\u201d Chiyo snorted, then burst into a fit of laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued laughing; the sound filled the air between the trees, making the quiet forest unnaturally loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that,\u201d he said, though he knew his request would go ignored. Perhaps it would be best to think as she did\u2014 to simply not care what others thought. There were, after all, some human traits he would rather not mimic.<\/p>\n

They continued until nightfall, finding a small clearing nestled in a circle of ancient trees. As Shichi leaned back onto a slope of thick roots, he found the bark coarse against his bare arms. It seemed he had once again taken his feathers for granted. He held in his complaints, certain that Chiyo had grown tired of hearing them. Though the trees felt rougher, he couldn\u2019t help but notice that the fox\u2019s fur felt softer in return.<\/p>\n

Once again, he dreamt of the cat. He could see Gin waking up in the forest, alone. The confusion and anguish consumed Shichi, as if he were the one who had been abandoned. It ached terribly, weighing him down as he watched the cat wander through the forest, failing to find the way back. He cried for his human, calling out in hopes that she would hear, that she would come through the trees to pick him up and take him home. Yet she never came. Never again would he see her face, nor the farmhouse he had once called home.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The dream took Shichi to another place, one years later and many miles away. He could hear a voice, one that he knew \u2014 that he could never forget.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m through hunting bears.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Zaisei, you\u2019ve been doing it for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. It\u2019s tiring. You hunt one bear and you\u2019ve hunted them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men\u2019s voices were low in the village inn, their table scattered with empty sake bottles. In a nearby seat was another man, one with silver hair \u2014 one not quite human. The stranger crouched over his table, listening intently to the conversation at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what now? Wolves?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa, don\u2019t be stupid,\u201d the hunter said, giving his companion a grin. \u201cI\u2019ve found something much more interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re going to hunt men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite. The samurai put a bounty out for a yokai \u2014 a tengu. Apparently some kind of monk. Satake is offering quite a bit of coin for his head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I heard about that. I should have known you\u2019d be fool enough to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not only money, you know. He\u2019s offering his sister-in-law\u2019s hand as well. She\u2019s quite pretty, I\u2019ve heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa! Since when are you so interested in women?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHunting is my life, I\u2019ll admit,\u201d he said, looking down at the table. \u201cBut\u2026 it would be nice to settle down, wouldn\u2019t it? To have a home again \u2014 someone to love.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hunter smiled thoughtfully as his companion filled his cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think?\u201d Zaisei continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheers to that,\u201d his friend replied, lifting his cup as they both drank. From the table beside them, the stranger opened his eyes. They glowed green in the dark, flickering as he committed two words to memory.<\/p>\n

Monk.<\/i><\/p>\n

Home.<\/i><\/p>\n

Shichi woke with a start. He jerked upright, clutching the fabric over his chest as he shifted back into reality. The dream was still sharp in his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Chiyo muttered from his lap. She was curled around the egg and clearly annoyed at being woken.<\/p>\n

\u201cGin,\u201d he said, taking a slow breath. \u201cI dreamt about Gin again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Chiyo asked groggily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was\u2014 ah, why am I wet?\u201d Shichi muttered, touching his forehead. \u201cOh, this is sweat, isn\u2019t it? Ah, it\u2019s\u2026 disgusting<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway, he was afraid,\u201d Shichi continued, recalling the scenes from memory. \u201cHe’s been afraid for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too bad,\u201d Chiyo said, closing her eyes to return to sleep. To her chagrin, Shichi continued talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like he\u2019s forgotten what kindness is \u2014 he can\u2019t remember what it felt like to be loved. That must be why he\u2019s acting this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMystery solved. Now go back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Chiyo. I\u2014 I can\u2019t let this go on. We have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chiyo whined dramatically, rolling over to bury her face beneath her tails.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust listen to me,\u201d Shichi said. \u201cHe isn\u2019t doing this to be cruel, he\u2019s just confused. Maybe we can talk to him, or at least show him that\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cShichi, he\u2019s evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not evil. He\u2019s just alone,\u201d the monk said, looking down at the kitsune in his lap. \u201cYou know what it\u2019s like to be lonely, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chiyo fell silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s help him,\u201d Shichi pressed. The clearing was silent for a long while. The fox took in a slow breath, finally letting it out to reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Fine, we\u2019ll help the big angry cat that\u2019s trying to kill us,\u201d she said. \u201cNow can we go back to sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Chiyo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fox gave him one last glance before closing her eyes. It was a good thing she did \u2014 it seemed the monk had finally learned the proper way to smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Illustration by K. Ryan When Chiyo awoke, she was only half-surprised to see she was alone. Faint trails of sunlight peeked in through the window slats, revealing a pointedly empty room. \u201cUgh,\u201d she groaned, wiping a paw over her face.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-two"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=773"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1042,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773\/revisions\/1042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}