Not Quite a Falling Star

Chapter 13

Thin lips pulled into a grimace, it was an expression Saya had never seen Retsu wear before. She didn't like to see him in pain, but she felt a small comfort in knowing he regretted his actions toward Ryūsei.

Retsu took a surreptitious glance at Saya. He dreaded that she might despise him now. Poisoning the tengu was for her sake, he told himself again and again. But seeing his friend helpless on the ground...it seemed like a wretched and awful crime. Memories of nights of shared drink and laughter haunted the fox. The look in Ryūsei's vibrant and trusting eyes, moments before the tainted sword sliced his skin, was branded in Retsu's mind.

"Saya," he broke an hour long silence that had prevailed since they had left the tengu with Jade.

He muttered a few beginnings to sentences, but failed to complete one; He was not one for being at a loss for words.

"What are you trying to say?" Saya asked with an unsympathetic air.

"I...I don't know what to say...I'm sorry I hurt you and I'm sorry about what I did," Retsu's ears curled downward as he spoke, "He trusted me. His expression, when I cut him so deeply with my sword, was one of disbelief. And he didn't even know about the poison then."

Saya responded with her ears cocked, "I get it, you regret what you did. Let's fix it. If my mother's blood can be used to conjure an antidote, can my blood be used instead?"

"No, it's not about bloodline. It has to be the blood of the person who made the cursed poison," Retsu explained, "The sooner we get to Lady Hanume, the better."

The white haired fox dug a fang into his inner lip and gnawed.  If he could demonstrate his conviction to Saya's mother, she would listen to his request, or so he supposed.

~~~

Interred in the darkest part of the forest was a temple that was obscured from human perception. A human passerby would find their way set askew, should they tread in its path. Unbeknownst to them, they would be walking the perimeter of a large building. This was the shrine of Lady Hanume. Its residents included her, two reticent familiars, and some fastidious yokai who dedicated themselves to cleaning the vast halls of the temple.

Retsu and Saya were two of the few yokai who were allowed to enter unannounced.

"Why do you enter here reeking of that tengu's rotten blood?" Hanume's greeting was anything but welcoming.

Retsu, who was bowing, increased the depth of his obeisance.

"My most sincere apologies, Lady Hanume. I know my presence is unacceptable, but the matter is rather urgent."

Lady Hanume stared down her nose at the white fox. Never before had she heard him refer to a matter as "urgent." However, her curiosity was not piqued. She had a suspicion that this visit was about the tengu, and Hanume had grown bored and annoyed with the follies of her daughter's suitors.

"Does this concern that crow?" she scoffed.

"Yes, this is about Ryūsei." He stated as he rose to a seated position, "I humbly ask of you to conjure an antidote for the poison."

Hanume sneered and her eyes exuded repugnance. Retsu caught a glimpse of her acrimonious stare and he felt his jaw drop. This was not the response he anticipated. She had always been reasonable with him. He was not expecting her to acquiesce, but he had not foreseen that his request would be met with loathing.

"I'm disappointed, Retsu. I thought you possessed a more fortitudinous spirit." Lady Hanume turned her back towards him.

His eyes widened, his pupils dilated, and his ears slicked back. "Lady Hanume, I beg of you, Ryūsei was foolish, and in response I overreacted. He doesn't deserve this fate."

A soft snicker escaped Hanume's lips. "Is that so, Retsu? I seem to recall you agreeing that we had to incapacitate him to guarantee Saya's safety."

His throat tightened. It was true, he had agreed to administer the debilitating poison. Though he originally suggested other means for dealing with the tengu, there were those unforgettable moments in which he, with a clear mind, decided poisoning Ryūsei was the best option.

"Yes, I did feel that way then, but now I know the decision I made was wrong."

"So you have changed your mind?" A slight smile graced her red lips, "Or do you just lack the conviction to stomach the consequences of your decision?"

Her words invaded the barriers erected in his mind. Retsu had allowed many feelings of guilt to penetrate his psyche, but he had never allowed himself to consider that his actions could be the result of a weakness in character. His lips grew pale as he dreaded the thought. This time, when he attempted to speak, no sound would come.

"If I were you," Hanume taunted, "I'd be cautious in choosing my response. Come Saya, I have something to discuss with you."

"Um...yes, Mother," her voice was brimming with trepidation. Was the implication about Retsu correct? Saya was unprepared to know the truth.

Mother and daughter walked toward the inner halls of the shrine, leaving Retsu seated and stricken near the entrance. Before they were out of his sight, Hanume turned to him and said, "I have more of that poison; I recommend you take your leave."