The Light that Binds

The street around me swells with excitement. Anticipation hangs thick in the air as we await the lighting of the bonfires on the mountains. The sky is lit with orange flame as the first daimonji fire ignites, marking the end of Obon. The fires that follow create brilliant kanji across the landscape, intended to guide our ancestors back to the spirit world. I take the opportunity to make my way to the Kamo river while the crowds are enthralled by the spectacle.

Smoothing my yukata around my knees, I kneel, then release the lanterns I made for mother and father. Another year has passed, yet it seems like they were here only yesterday, even though it has been five years since the accident. I wipe away a stray tear that threatens to fall as I watch the lanterns float silently down the river; the candles emit a warm glow that reflects in the rippling surface of the water.

Suddenly the wind picks up, whipping my hair around my face. I tuck a loose strand behind my ear and turn toward its origin. I quickly wrap my arms around my shoulders attempting to quell the shiver running through me. “What was that?” I strain my eyes, fixing them on a point far up river. A faint green glow flickers in my direction. I’m entranced by its light and my body begins to move without my permission. Obediently, I walk toward the anomaly. As I get closer I can see that the green light is housed in something familiar. “A lantern?”

“Come to me, Rini.” A low baritone seems to whisper in my ear and my pulse quickens as I cautiously reach for the lantern. The verdant green of the fire inside willfully beckons; I can’t stop my feet from continuing the trek forward. A hiss escapes through my teeth as I step into the rushing water. Inhaling deeply to brace myself against the frigid stream swirling around my shins, I stretch my fingers, aching to make purchase with the light. “A-almost t-there.” Despite the mid-August heat, my teeth chatter and my fingers tremble; the green light is just beyond my reach, taunting me.

“Find me, Rini,” the voice hums again. At his command I leap forward and grasp the lantern. The fire inside licks up my arm, but it doesn’t burn me. Instead I only feel a pleasant warmth spread throughout my chest. It takes root in my extremities before the world around me blurs, replaced by darkness...

“Ah!” I sit straight up, taking in a large gulp of air to fill my lungs. I touch my forehead, thinking back on the dream. “How strange...” I scan my surroundings and my heart thumps against my ribcage at the foreign view. (This isn’t my bed.) I investigate the soft silks of the futon sitting atop tatami mats. “Where am I?”

“Oh good, you’re awake.” That same low baritone from my dream floats from behind me. I whip my head around and my eyes widen as they settle on a handsome face partially hidden behind soft silvery hair. Pointed ears protrude from the top of his head and flick in my direction. His nine tails twitch; moving in and out of focus as a thick haze veils my vision.

Something warm envelopes me as I come to. I try to sit up, but am held in place by strong arms. “Easy, Rini.”

My head pounds, like a night after too much sake, and I wince. “Who...where…h-how do you know my name?” I slur as I squint and look up into gentle azure eyes.

His chuckle vibrates against my body and I feel a faint tingle rush through my veins. “Take a deep breath. Inhale through your nose, then exhale through your mouth.” I close my eyes and do as he commands, feeling my frazzled nerves calm. “Better?” He gently brushes my bangs from my fevered forehead.

I turn away from his intense gaze and mutter, “Yes, thank you. Could you let go of me now please?” I push against his chest. He acquiesces to my request and releases me, and I fall with a soft thud on the futon. He stands then turns back to look at me. “Meet me in the kitchen after you have collected yourself. I will answer your questions then.” With those terse words he leaves, sliding the door shut behind him.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I begin to rock back and forth as tremors begin to set in. “Um what the hell? What happened? I was at the Bon Festival in Kyoto yesterday. Wait, was that yesterday? I think it was. What day is it? Who was that guy? He’s not human...he...he’s a…”

“Kitsune is the word I believe you are looking for.” A breathy voice comes from just beyond my feet, and an ornately painted wooden hair comb lying on the floor blinks its amber eyes up at me. I scream and kick it, sending the little thing sailing across the room.

“Ow! Hey, that was uncalled for!” Tiny arms and legs appear as she angrily pushes herself up from the floor.

“You can talk.” I gasp. “Combs can’t talk. I’m dreaming. This is all a dream!” I slap my cheeks. “Wake up Rini, wake up!”

The comb dusts herself off. “I’ll have you know I am quite real. I’m a tsukumogami and this is not a dream. You’re in the spirit world.” The muscles in my face contort creating a deep crease in my brows. “Oh dear, you’re not going to faint again are you?” she scoffs.

“No!” I cross my arms and stick out my lip.

She clicks her tongue. “Stop being such a child.” She walks over to me and hops up onto my bent knees, staring straight into my eyes. “The Master called you here for a reason. It would be in your best interest to be respectful and do as he says.” With that final word she jumps down and waddles off toward the wardrobe. “Get out of bed. You need to change.” She points to the door, “You’ll find new kimonos hanging in there. Clean yourself up and meet the Master as requested. I’m sure he will explain everything to you.”

(Man she’s bossy.) Glaring at the small wooden tsukumogami, I huff, “Fine, I’m getting up.” Legs shaking slightly, I slowly make my way to the closet. The comb taps her fairy-like foot as I rifle through the garments. Settling on a violet kimono with pink peonies and butterflies embroidered throughout, I tie the obi around my waist then turn, “So how do I look?”

She sighs. “I guess it will have to do.”

I tense my shoulders and place my hands on my hips. “No need to be so rude. Give me a little credit. I am trying.”

“Yes, yes, alright. No need to throw a tantrum. Pick me up. I’ll hold your hair back.”

I hesitate for a moment before bending down to scoop the comb from the floor. “Easy! Don’t man-handle me, I’m delicate!”

“Oh hush.” I walk both of us over to the mirror and pull my hair out of my face, placing her teeth securely in place.

“I can’t see. How does it look?” Her voice is muffled by my thick locks. Studying my figure in the mirror I respond flatly, “I feel like I’m cosplaying.”

“Pardon?”

“Nevermind. It’s fine. C’mon let’s go. I’m sure I’ve kept your master waiting long enough.”

The scent of curry wafts from the kitchen, drawing me down the hallway at a faster clip. I didn’t realize until now how hungry I was. When I peek my head through the doorway, my stomach audibly growls. Heat floods my cheeks as the man turns from the stove to meet my gaze. He smiles, crinkling the skin around his eyes. (Where are his ears and tails? I’m certain I saw them before. Maybe I was delusional.) “Hungry?” His low voice startles me from my thoughts. “Have a seat, Rini. It’s almost done.”

“It smells wonderful.” I feel a small grin tug at the corner of my lip, but quickly suppress it. I’m still not sure about this place. It could all be a trap. Fox spirits have been known to seduce people and take their souls. He could just be buttering me up so he can kill me. A chill runs down my spine at the thought.

“Here you are.” He places a plate of curry in front of me, then sits on the opposite side of the table.

“Thank you.” I pick up my spoon. It hovers above my meal, waiting for him to take the first bite. “I assure you it’s not poisoned.” (Damn, he’s clever.) I grip my spoon a little tighter then smile, “I didn’t want to be rude, Master.”

“Please Rini, call me Koshiro. No need to be so formal.” He blows on his curry then takes a bite. I watch his Adam's apple bob beautifully as he swallows and my throat suddenly feels thick. I cough attempting to clear it as well as to refocus my thoughts. “So, I’m sure you have questions for me. You may ask me anything.”

“Where did your ears and tails go?” I blurt the question and receive a swift pinch from the comb in my hair for my impertinence. I flinch and mutter a curse under my breath, thumping her squarely on her ‘head’, which results in another bite from her teeth. Koshiro raises an eyebrow and smirks. “Everything alright?”

“Yes!” I sit up straight and place my hands in my lap. “I’m sorry, that was the first thing that popped into my mind. Forgive my rudeness.” I bow forward slightly.

A low chuckle rumbles in his chest. “No, it’s quite alright. I’m afraid my other form shocked you a bit, so I took this one instead. However…” He closes his eyes and his silvery ears pop back to the top of his head and his tails reappear behind his back. “I can stay in this form if it pleases you.”

My jaw hangs open, awed by his transformation. (He really is a kitsune. It wasn’t a dream.) I release a nervous giggle. “Um, either is fine. Whichever you’re comfortable with.” His ears and tails instantly disappear. “I will remain in my human form for now. Until you are more comfortable here.” He takes another bite of his curry.

“Yeah, about that…” I rub my arm. “H-how long will I be staying here?”

“Forever of course.” He says it so nonchalantly that I feel foolish for asking the question at all. An angry heat courses through my body as I shoot from the chair, clenching my fists at my sides. “Forever?”

“Mhm.”

“You tricked me with your foxfire and kidnapped me! You can’t just keep me here! There will be people in my world looking for me-”

“Will there? It was my understanding that you are an orphan.” His words punch me in the gut. He pushes away from the table and stalks toward me. My mind is screaming at me to flee, but I’m paralyzed, feet frozen to the floor. I yelp when he places his large hands on my shoulders, pulling me close. He hums, “I promise you will come to like it here and call this place home.” Dark sapphires give off a mischievous glint as he places his finger under my chin, drawing my face towards his. My heart thunders loudly in my ears, stomach clenching with anticipation as he leans down and whispers, “A fox always keeps his promise, little bunny.”

He places a feather-light kiss on my forehead then saunters out of sight, leaving me quaking. I vigorously shake my head to banish the spell, freeing my mind. I pull my shoulders back and cut my eyes to the empty kitchen doorway. “I wouldn’t be so confident. You haven’t won yet, kitsune.”