Blade Song

Chapter 28- Exposure

The next morning, when I opened my eyes to the sun touching my face, it almost felt unreal. When was the last time I'd woken up without sweat sticking to my skin and my heart threatening to pound its way out of my chest? I couldn't remember.

I was cocooned against Kiyoshi's side, with his giant fluffy tail wrapped around me like a blanket. His breathing was so steady and comforting. I almost fell right back asleep, until the horizon caught my eye.

The sun was just starting to crest the top of the water, painting the sky a dim yellow color and casting a golden streak across the rolling water. It was gorgeous.

I carefully picked up Kiyoshi's tail and uncurled it slowly, then, as quietly as I could, made my way to the edge of the water to stare at that limitless horizon.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kiyoshi's voice came from behind me.

I smiled and nodded before turning to him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

He shook his head. "I'm a light sleeper. If you didn't wake me, something would have in no time." He stared out at the ocean with me for a few more minutes before he gave a heavy sigh. "I suppose we should be getting back. They'll be wondering where we got off to."

"Will Mitsuo be worried?" I asked as we started to walk.

"I doubt it. He's used to me disappearing after I meet with Arinaga, and if something went seriously wrong, there'd be a commotion."

I nodded. "That's good. If anything, I'll be happy to get out of these clothes."

The fox laughed. "I thought you might say that. I'll be happy, too."

"Oh, really? I thought you said I was pretty." I smirked.

"And I did indeed mean it, but I think that all of the time. Some women need things to accentuate their beauty, not you."

I whistled. "Check out that smooth talking. Is that a skill you have to practice or does it come naturally?"

He smiled and moved closer. "With you? Naturally. I mean every word."

I blushed and put my head down. "Thanks."

Compliments were a rare thing in my world. Put me on a battlefield with any foe and I will rise to the challenge, but kindness really had a way of disarming me.

When we reached the house, both Mitsuo and Fuyuko were standing outside. You only needed to look at their faces for a second to tell something was up. Mitsuo was wearing a grim expression and Fuyuko was staring daggers at us as we approached. She marched up to Kiyoshi with arms folded, her glare intensifying.

Kiyoshi cocked his head. "What's up?"

"Those children got dropped off this morning," she said.

He gave her a confused smile. "Good?"

She clicked her tongue. "I had an interesting talk with the man who dropped them off. I said, 'I'll see you next time.' He told me there wouldn't be a next time because you were buying that terrible place. At first I thought it was good, but then he told me something else." She paused as her tail whipped back and forth wildly behind her. "He said all that money you'd used to get into Arinaga's favor over the years must have finally payed off, because you got a really good deal on his business."

Kiyoshi's face fell.

"Tell me it's not true." Her voice started to shake and tears started to slide down her face. "Tell me you weren't giving money to that monster of a man to aid in the torture of all those people."

"I'm sorry, Fuyuko," he said.

She gasped and put a hand to her mouth.

"This will be huge for our side," Kiyoshi said. "Slave trade will never be the same after I shut that place down. We can free everyone eventually."