A Tale of Two Foxes: (Kogitsune X Mikazuki)

A Tale of Two Foxes - Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Mikazuki raced through the front door, running dead smack into Ishikiri who was waiting in the foyer.

"There you are," Ishikiri said, brushing out the wrinkles in his clothing that their collision had caused. "Where have you been?"

"Sorry, I was, uh... I was down by the river. I-I fell asleep."

Ishikiri shook his head in disappointment. "You and your team are on stand-by for tomorrow's mission. You know the rule: In the house before curfew. Luckily, you're only 20 minutes late, but as a Captain I expect better from you."

Mikazuki bowed his head in shame. "Apologies, Ishikiri-san. It won't happen again."

"I should hope not," he sighed heavily. "Well, since this is your first offense, I won't report it to Saniwa-sama."

"Oh, thank you," Mikazuki replied in relief.

"I count on you to set the example for the others," he added, pinning Mikazuki with a stern look. "Let's not make a habit of this."

Mikazuki bowed to Ishikiri once more. "I promise to do better in the future. Thank you again."

"You're welcome," he replied. "By the way, Master is looking for you. He's been waiting for quite some time. If I were you, I'd go see him before you doing anything else."

"Of course," Mikazuki replied. "I'll go right now."

They parted ways and Mikazuki headed straight for Saniwa-sama's chambers. The sage resided in the west wing of the house on the first floor. All the rooms in that particular wing were off limits to the Swords, with the exception of the large washitsu just off the entryway. That's where he found his Master, Izo Yamamoto, kneeling on the floor and playing a game of Go with Tonbokiri. Tsurumaru had his arms wrapped around Tonbokiri's wide neck, looking at the game over the Yari's shoulder.

"I thought you said you couldn't find him," Izo remarked casually, speaking to Tsurumaru, but keeping his focus on the game.

"No, I didn't," Tsurumaru replied just as casually. "You said go to Mika-chan's room and get him. I told you he wasn't in his room."

Tsurumaru turned and winked at Mikazuki. The male was covering for him just like Ishikiri.

"Why didn't you search the rest of the house?" Saniwa-sama asked, placing one of his stones on the board.

"Because Master didn't say to search the house," Tsurumaru replied, waltzing over to Izo and sitting on the floor next to him. "Master said to check Mika-chan's room."

Izo glanced lazily over at Tsurumaru, chuckling softly when he saw the male's bright-eyed smile. "Clearly, I should've been more specific."

"Clearly," Tsurumaru replied with a shameless blush. He rested his head on Izo's shoulder and returned his attention to the game.

"Mika-san, come and sit with us," Izo said, gesturing to the seat beside him. "Tonbo-san and I are almost finished."

Mikazuki did as he was asked, taking a seat beside his Master. He watched in silence as Saniwa-sama was defeated by the red-headed Yari.

"Good game," Izo said, bowing his head to his opponent.

"Indeed," Tonbokiri replied, bowing in return. "Thank you for letting me win. As always, it's an honor to play you Saniwa-sama."

"I expect to see you tomorrow evening for a rematch."

"I look forward to it," Tonbokiri answered," climbing to his feet and bowing once more.