A Tale of Two Foxes: (Kogitsune X Mikazuki)

A Tale of Two Foxes - Chapter 16 END

CHAPTER 29

"This has gone on long enough," Mikazuki said to Izo. "Every Sword in the house is ready to search for Kogitsune, but you insist on doing nothing. It's been months, Saniwa-sama! Surely now you can see the need to..."

"Every Sword in the house?" Izo asked, cutting Mikazuki off and sitting back in his chair. "Tell me, were these the same Swords who drew their weapons on their own brother? The ones who were ready to 'put him down' if he stepped out of line?"

"We've seen the error of our ways, Master. Even Tsuru-chan's come around. We finally got him back and then we lost him again. His absence has affected us all! We need him. Here. With us. Please, Master. Let me take a search party out this morning. There's word in town that a large white fox was sighted not 20 miles from here! If you'll let me, I can..."

"Don't," Izo said, silencing Mikazuki with a single look. "Kogitsune will return when, and if, he's ready. But considering you all drove him away, I highly doubt he'll be back."

"And you know this how?" Mikazuki demanded. "Have you spoken with him? He said he'd come to see you. Has he? What about mother... I mean, Inari. Have you heard from her at all? I call to her, but I fear she's turned her back on me."

"Inari and I don't speak," Izo answered. "Not unless we have to. And if you must know, yes, I've spoken to Kogitsune."

"When?! Where?! Was he here?" Mikazuki demanded. "I can't feel him anymore. We're still mated, that much I can tell, but it's like his entire presence has just... vanished from the face of the earth!"

"Inari is probably shielding him."

"From me," Mikazuki deduced. "She's shielding him from me, isn't she?"

"Mika-chan, let it be. Kogitsune made the decision to return to his mother's side. He asked to be released from my service, and I granted it. His logic was sound and his reasons justified. Kogitsunemaru is free. Free of me and... and free of you. Let him have his peace. What little he can find."

"Damn him and damn his peace!" Mikazuki cursed. "Where is he, Izo-sama? I know you know! Tell me so I can drag him back here by his tail!"

Izo stared at Mikazuki, his expression almost amused. "He left because of you, Mika-chan. If you bring him back here, you better be prepared to fix the damage your neglect has caused. He is a lost and broken soul. He needs love and... and hope. He needs to know that there's someone who believes he's not a monster. If you can't be that person, then I beg you to leave him be."

"I can't," Mikazuki said firmly. "Letting him go is impossible, which means the only other option is to love him. Tell me where he is, Master. Tell me so I can bring my wandering fox home."

Izo stared at Mikazuki for several long moments, his emerald gaze seeming to gauge the sincerity in Mikazuki's word. When he finally spoke, Mikazuki had the good sense to listen intently.

"I, too, judged Kogitsune harshly. I judged him unfairly and was prepared to leave him trapped in his sword for all eternity. I made a mistake, and I almost lost someone dear to me. Someone I respect and value. My actions are unforgivable, and yet... Kogitsune found it in his heart to forgive me. Your mate is capable of such love and empathy, that it would put all of us to shame. He is a rare creature, Mika-chan. Someone who's seen the horrors buried in the depths of his soul, and is somehow still capable of love everlasting; pure and untouched by the guilt and shame he carries in his heart. And do you want to know how?" Izo asked, his voice breaking with emotion. "It's because of you. You are the one thing in his life that is untainted; the only person in existence who can temper his rage. That is an incredible responsibility. Look me in the eye and tell me you're ready to accept his sins as your own. As his mate, you too will have to carry the burden of his transgressions. Can you do that? Can you love him in spite of who and what he is?"