“And now we will give them something to find.” Hana released one of the origami fish Masako had made into the water and watched it dart away.
“Your turn,” Keishin whispered to his fish before setting it free. It swam after its mate as soon as it touched the water.
Keishin’s hansha twin emerged from the waterfall and chased after the paper fish. Hana’s twin followed close behind. The lotus in their path trembled over the water. The Shiikuin twisted in the direction of the disturbance and broke into a chorus of curdling shrieks.
Ice ran up from Keishin’s ankles to his spine. He crouched lower, his breath racing in and out of his chest. “Remember your promise, Hana.”
Hana clutched his hand. Her fingers trembled around his. “Remember yours.”
The Shiikuin fell silent and lowered their sickles. They stood as still as statues, with only their heads tilting to follow the movement in the water. They looked at one another, nodded, and gave chase.
“I don’t believe it,” Keishin said. “It actually worked.”
Hana exhaled.
“What happens now?” Keishin asked.
“The hansha will have their fun for a while. When they get bored, they’ll disperse and return to the cavern, but not before giving the Shiikuin a glimpse of our faces. They are mischievous that way.”
“Giving the Shiikuin no cause to doubt Haruto,” Keishin said.
Hana nodded. “And us a head start to the Night Market.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
An Infestation of Ticks
Keishin’s shoulders and arms burned from rowing. The subterranean river that led to the Singing Forest was twice as long as the one that had led them to the lake. The sky lightened behind the waterfall at the end of the cave. Keishin kept his eyes on the light and pulled on the oars, ignoring the pain shooting up his raw palms. A tinkling melody drifted through the water falling over the exit. “Do you hear that?”
“The forest is close,” Hana said. “This is its song.”
“How far is the Night Market from the forest?” Keishin said.
Hana continued to row as though she had not heard his question.
“Hana?”
“I am sorry.” Hana sighed. “I know that you are exhausted, but I am afraid that it will take more than half a day’s walk to get through the forest. Once we reach the clearing, a puddle will take us to a village near the market.”
“No need to apologize.” Keishin glanced back at Hana with a smirk. “After sitting in this boat the whole night, I could use a long walk.”
Hana smiled. “Of course.”
—
Multicolored glass wind chimes in the shape of leaves grew from the branches of the towering trees and sang in the wind.Sunlight filtered through the shimmering canopy, painting a rainbow over the forest floor. Keishin marveled at the sight, unable to tear his eyes from the chimes. Their haunting song shifted from cheerful to melancholy, changing at the wind’s whim.
Hana grabbed his elbow. “Watch your step.”
“Whoa.” Keishin glanced down and stopped before tripping over a rotting log. “I definitely do not need to add a sprained ankle to the list of our problems.”
“The chimes can be distracting,” Hana said, stepping over the log. “I have fallen and scraped my knees in this forest more than once.”
“Distracting is an understatement.” Keishin forced himself to focus on the winding path. “I think I could easily spend my entire life in your world and still find something to be amazed about every single day.”
“That’s how I feel about your world,” Hana said.
“Really?”
