“What way?”
“The healing stall at the Night Market. Their prices…are too high.”
—
Haruto stood outside his home and waved at Hana with perfectly healed hands. “How was the ride?”
Hana stared at his hands. “Please tell me that you did not go to the—”
“I did and it is done,” Haruto said.
“You fool.” Hana gritted her teeth. “What payment did they ask for?”
Haruto folded his arms over his chest. “I imagined this reunion was going to begin with you saying, ‘Thank you for saving our lives,’ and me responding, ‘You’re welcome.’ ”
“Thank you for rescuing us, Haruto,” Keishin said. “I mean it.”
“You are welcome, Keishin.” Haruto turned to Hana. “See? Was that not a lot more pleasant?”
“Tell me what you paid for your hands,” Hana demanded.
“Whatever I paid for them is my business, not yours.” He plucked a piece of paper from his sleeve and threw it in the air. He flicked his hand its way. The paper folded into a butterfly in midair. “I was even able to negotiate for a few improvements.”
“Haruto—”
“Enough, Hana. We should go inside.” A crane flew over and perched on his shoulder. “The cranes have told me that the Shiikuin are still hunting you down.”
—
Haruto sat with steepled fingers as Keishin and Hana filled him in on what had happened at the tunnels. “And your father?” he said, struggling to keep his voice even. “What happened to him?”
Hana swallowed back tears. “He’s—”
“He held back the Shiikuin so that we could escape,” Keishin said. “We don’t know what happened after we left.”
“Then he could still be alive.” Haruto looked at Hana hopefully.
Hana lowered her eyes.
“That is a possibility,” Keishin said.
“We have answered your questions,” Hana said. “Now you must answer mine.”
“I told you, what I paid for my hands is not your concern.”
“Then tell me how you knew where to find us.”
Haruto set his palms on the table. “I heard the oddest thing when I went to the Night Market to heal my hands…whispers about a man from the other world.”
“You followed the rumor,” Keishin said.
“My cranes did. The rumor was too fast for me, and I gave up any hope of catching a train. I sent my cranes to track you down. I had a feeling that the rumor you rode was only a one-way trip.”
“You saved our lives,” Hana said. “Thank you.”
“Finally. Some gratitude.”
Hana managed a hint of a smile. “Enjoy it.”
