“What?!”

“Tamiko thought you were my stepfather, but I told her she was incorrect. However, I then realized that the truth is I do not know.”

“K-know that I love your mother, truly I do,” Shitoro sputtered, “but not like that.”

“Do I have a father?”

“Well ... err ... of course.”

“Who is he?”

“Why would you even think to ask such a...” He paused, then pointed an accusing finger at Tamiko. “You! This is your doing.”

“My doing? How?”

“You put these thoughts into her head.”

“It’s a simple question,” she replied. “A fair one, too, I think.”

“Some questions are not to be asked.”

“So you do not know who my father is?” Kisaki replied, crestfallen.

“I never said that,” Shitoro stated. “As the former chief servant to your mother, I was her trusted confidant. I know a great many secrets.”

Kisaki immediately perked up. “So can you take me to him?”

Shitoro seemed to realize the error of what he’d said a moment too late. “Let us speak no more of this.”

Tamiko stepped in and pointed a finger at his nose. “You can’t just shut her down like that. It’s not fair.”

Shitoro rounded on her. “Oh? Is that so? Let me tell you something, child. The multiverse is vast and old, much older than a simple monkey such as yourself could possibly understand. There is a cycle in place, a grand scheme that defines all of creation. It would take years to even begin explaining it to someone like you, but I can give you this one nugget – nowhere is it written that life is fair.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I think you’re being a jerk.”

“What?! You ... p-pea-brained...” Shitoro stammered, seemingly at a loss for words.

Kisaki let them argue while she considered things. Shitoro had revealed more to her in the past few minutes than he had since he’d been assigned as her guardian. She had a father. Who was he? She didn’t know yet. Nor did she know why this information had been kept from her. Was he cruel or kind? Was he another daimao, or a mere servant? Had he abandoned her or did her mother spirit her away? Did he even know she existed?

She didn’t have answers to any of this, had never even thought to ask these questions before today. But now that they were out in the open, she knew she couldn’t rest until they were answered.

But how? Shitoro was obviously here to take her back. Once home again, she doubted her mother would tell her much beyond how badly punished she was. And she could only press the matter so far. Her mother was powerful and though her temper was even most of the time, that could change if Kisaki pushed too hard.

But why all these secrets? Why the isolation? She was fairly certain that the other youkai in the palace, even the lowest of servants, were free to do what she wasn’t, explore as they pleased. So why was it different for her? So many questions, but along with that came realization, too. Now that she had gotten a small taste of freedom, she had no desire to go back to her old life, even at the risk of her mother’s wrath.

And perhaps she had the means to escape at her fingertips.

She reached a hand into the pocket of her shorts and touched the two crystals she had left. She’d thought them keepsakes, a reminder of her adventure, nothing more. But Shitoro had said something about using one of them to come here.

It seemed crazy, but perhaps it wasn’t. Hadn’t she been fantasizing about Earth while holding one, only to find her wish granted a moment later? She’d had no thoughts on a specific place, aside from the sea, but what if she concentrated on someplace, or maybe someone specific?

Shitoro had also mentioned one other important tidbit. He’d said the black crystal had been attuned to her mother’s power. That was how he’d been able to track her down. Though she didn’t fully understand the workings of magic, she had a rudimentary knowledge of it. She also understood, via her studies of the ancient past, that there were others like her mother – the daimao. The black crystal had been her mother’s, something she’d picked through little more than bad luck on her part. However, the other two were different in color. Perhaps that meant they’d been empowered by others.

If so, and she used them, then maybe Shitoro wouldn’t be able to find her as easily. She’d never met another daimao, had no idea what they were like. But since – to the best of her knowledge, anyway – none had ever come calling, demanding to meet her, maybe that meant they either didn’t know about her or, more importantly, didn’t care. If so, then they would surely have little interest in her whereabouts.

Yes!

Kisaki was not a stupid girl by any means, and now a plan was beginning to form in her head.

♦ ♦ ♦

“For the last time, I am not a cat.”

“I know. Even cats aren’t as big of jerks as you.”

“You truly are insolent. Why, if I had my say in matters, I would have some manners whipped into you.”

“I’d like to see you try, shorty.”

Kisaki stepped back from where the two were arguing, her hand still in her pocket touching the two crystals. The problem was, she had no idea where to start or how the crystals even worked. Were they powerful enough to lock on to an unanswered question? Or did they require something specific? If she concentrated on her father, would it be enough to work?

There was only one way to find out. She randomly picked one of the two and closed her fist around it.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Shitoro suddenly asked her.

“Um ... back to my room. I ... err ... forgot something.”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Tamiko turned to her, a look of confusion and outrage on her face. “You can’t possibly be thinking of going with this mangy little feline?”

“Mangy?!” Shitoro looked like he was about to start in again with Tamiko, something Kisaki was hoping for, but he instead stalked toward her. “And what could be of such importance on this mudball of a...” He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes opening wide as if in realization. Kisaki had a moment of fear in which she thought he’d figured out her plan, but then he said, “You didn’t dare, did you?”

“Dare what?”

“There’s no point in lying. We don’t know how you did it, but your mother knows you took the Taiyosori. You didn’t just leave it lying around in some hovel on Earth, did you? If so, you are in such...”

“What’s a Taiyosori?” Tamiko asked.

“Nothing you need concern yourself with.”

“Fine,” Kisaki said, “then I’ll ask. What is it?”

Shitoro raised a hand to the bridge of his nose and sighed. “The Taiyosori is the blade of the heavens, a weapon of utmost power. In the hands of a master, it is invincible. In yours, though, I doubt it would even cut bread. You have no idea the power you are trifling with. Why, if it fell into the wrong hands ... wait. How did you manage to take it anyway?”

“Take it? I...” It took Kisaki a moment, but then she realized what he was all in a huff about. “Are you talking about that silly ornamental sword?”

“Ornamental?” Shitoro’s face flushed so deeply it was even visible beneath his fur. “We are talking about a weapon that could cut celestial armor in half like butter, and you dare think it a mere decoration.”

“Well, who ever heard of a sword made of glass anyway? Doesn’t sound too useful to me. Besides, it’s not a sword anymore.”

“What do you mean ‘not a sword anymore’?”

Kisaki reluctantly let go of the crystal. She reached into the light jacket she wore and fished around in the inner pocket. There! For a moment, she felt a light heat from the quill, but then it was gone as her hand closed around it and pulled it out. “See? It turned into this.”

“You stole a feather?” Tamiko asked.

“It wasn’t a feather at the time.”

Shitoro stepped over and glared up at her. “Are you seriously trying to tell me that the Taiyosori, one of the most potent weapons in all of creation, turned into this? Listen to me, young lady. I have heard a lot of lies in my time, but this is preposterous. You go and fetch the true sword right now, or I swear I will tell your mother about your impudent...” One second he was grabbing for the quill in Kisaki’s hand, the next there came a bright blue flash of light from it, followed by a crack as if lightning had struck. Shitoro was sent flying back across the beach.

He slammed into a wooden bench, shattering it to pieces, then finally landed in the sand where he lay unmoving.

“Shitoro!”

“What the heck did you do?” Tamiko asked, her eyes wide.

“I ... don’t know.”

“C’mon, let’s go help him.”

That much they could agree on. Both of the girls took off down the beach to where Shitoro lay in a patch of scorched sand and smashed wood.

They knelt on either side of him. Kisaki was glad to see the little demon was still alive, albeit stunned by whatever had happened.

“Are you okay?” Tamiko asked as they helped him up.

After a moment, Shitoro shook his head and coughed up some dust and smoke. “Dearest gods.” He turned toward Tamiko, noticing her hand on his arm. “Let go of me, human.”

“I was just trying to help.”

“By dirtying my fur with your monkey paws?”

“Fine.” She released him and stood up. “Maybe next time you’ll land on your head and knock some sense into that thick skull of yours.”

“Are you all right, Shitoro?” Kisaki asked, helping him to his feet.

He nodded, still a little bit dazed, but then jerked his hand back when he saw she was still holding the quill. “Unbelievable.”

“What happened?”

“The Taiyosori,” he explained shakily. “It is capable of ... defending itself. It’s why none have dared to try and claim it from your mother. The sword will reject any who try to steal it.”

“But I stole ... err, borrowed it anyway.”

“Yes, I can see that,” the tiger demon replied in an annoyed tone. He began to dust himself off. “And you’re telling me nothing like that happened to you?”

“No. I mean, it felt hot at first, but I thought it was my imagination. I was ... a bit nervous after I unlocked the door and ventured into mother’s audience chamber.”

“With my key?”

Kisaki smiled sheepishly and nodded.

“Had I known I was helping to raise a thief, I might have taken greater precautions.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s just that...”

“You kept her locked up.” Tamiko stepped back in and pointed an accusing finger at him. “What did you expect?”

“What did I expect? Perhaps a proper show of respect for her elders.” He glanced back at Kisaki. “Kindly turn the Taiyosori back into a sword.”

“I don’t know how.”

“How did you manage to turn it into a mere quill to begin with?”

“I ... don’t know.”

He reached a paw toward the quill again, then apparently thought better of it. He pulled it back and began rubbing it over his ears. “Very well. Your mother will need to figure that out, although I dare say it will, in all likelihood, put her into an even fouler mood than she is already in.”

“What are you doing?” Tamiko asked after another moment.

Shitoro stopped licking his paw. “Grooming, obviously. I have sand in my fur. I can’t very well return to my mistress looking as if I were a ragamuffin such as yourself.”

“You know what also does that? Cats.”

Shitoro narrowed his eyes and glared daggers at her, but he held his tongue and addressed Kisaki instead. “Speaking of ragamuffins, why are you dressed like that? Where are your regal robes?”

“Back in my room. When I got here, some kids were making fun of me for them. One of them pushed me and...”

“They dared lay a finger on you? Tell me where they are and I shall make certain their homes are razed to the ground for such an insult.”

“It’s fine, Shitoro. Not a big deal. I just got a little wet.”

“Well, those ruffians are lucky I wasn’t around, otherwise I’d have...”

“Clawed their furniture?” Tamiko offered.

He refused to take the bait, although Kisaki could tell it took some effort. “Kindly put the Taiyosori away for now. I would wish to avoid further ... incidents.”

For a moment, Kisaki considered ignoring him. The quill, sword, whatever it was, had given her the means to make sure he couldn’t come near her if she didn’t want him to. But then she thought better of it.

Whatever it had done to him, it had looked painful. She couldn’t be certain that next time it wouldn’t actually hurt him, not to mention any humans who might be unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. Small as Shitoro was, he was likely far more durable than most of the inhabitants of this world. She would need to be more careful with it. For now, she did as told and placed the quill back inside of her jacket.

Shitoro nodded his approval, then stepped forward and took hold of her hand. “We’re leaving now.”

She panicked and tried to pull away, but he held her fast. “Err, what about my robes?”

“Leave them.” He turned to Tamiko. “Consider them a souvenir of your time among superior beings. Try not to dirty them too badly with your stench.”

“But ... what about my father?” Kisaki asked. She reached into her pocket with her free hand and grabbed hold again of one of the crystals, pulling it out in her clenched fist. If she was going to make a run for it, it would have to be now. But first she needed to shake loose from the tenacious tiger’s grasp.

“Your father?” he asked incredulously. “He has nothing to do with this. Forget him and any other humans you have met. They are nothing to us.” Shitoro produced a black crystal from his robe and held it out. “Now, please silence yourself. The transference takes a bit of concentration to...”

Tamiko slapped it out of his hand.

“What the?! How dare you!”

“How dare I?” she replied, grabbing hold of Kisaki’s other arm and trying to pull her free. “How dare you? You claim to be her friend, her guardian, but all you do is yell at her and keep her locked up. You’re ... you’re ... not a nice person.”

“I am not a person, period,” he said, refusing to let go. “What I am is a being far older and wiser than you could ever hope to...”

“Wait,” Kisaki said. “Other humans?”

“What?” Shitoro asked.

“You said forget about my father and the other humans. Are you saying my father is a human, here on Earth?”

“No ... I ... suggested nothing of the sort. Now, if you will kindly...”

His sputtering answer, however, told Kisaki everything she needed to know. No wonder she’d always been so fascinated by Earth. Human blood ran through her veins, mixed with the divinity of her mother. It explained so much, including why she looked so human.

“I want to meet him,” she said. “I want to meet my human father, wherever he is.”

Shitoro started to say something, but she wasn’t listening. The crystal in her fist had begun to pulse violently upon her voicing her stated desire, a desire which had filled her heart with sudden longing.

A moment later, a burst of dark grey energy, almost as if a storm cloud had descended to touch the ground, enveloped the group.

When it cleared, all three of them had vanished.