His heart pounding, he rushed through the mindless, moaning crowds of petitioners. This direction seemed to be a little easier. The only things they had to avoid were the barriers and those chasing them.
Which seemed to be more than a few pesky inari and yokai. But in this crowd, it was all so confusing.
If they could just make it into the official Kage-tochi, they’d be “safe.” Laughable, really, when one considered those lands were ruled by the Ryukage and his minions. So, “safe” was the last thing they’d be if they were found, but...
They’d be saferthan they currently were.
Which was getting more questionable by the heartbeat as they were surrounded by mindless supplicants.
“How much farther?”
Masaru snorted. “What? Do you think there’s a line that says, ‘Welcome to Kage-tochi’?”
He really wanted to slap that fox, and he really wished Ryuichi would stop fighting him.
C’mon, you can make it.
Then they would only have to deal with the Ryukage.
And his armies.
Some generals.
Not to mention reunite Ryuichi with his shadow.
Then escape.
In one piece... alive.
Okay, so things weren’t exactly stacked in their favor. In fact, he should probably wager against their success.
Still... They were alive, against all odds. Masaru and Keiko had their own powers, and he himself was unrivaled with a sword.
You can’t reach your sword while you’re carrying the squirmy little brat.
A tedious detail, granted, and one he didn’t want to think about. But...
Who am I fooling?
They were dead. This was so stupid. Why were they even trying? Only an absolute moron would be involved in any of this!
If he lost the kitsunes, he could never get back home. Only those like Masaru could hop between the realms. Those who’d sold themselves and had dubious alliances.
Or those like Keiko who were on special missions.
I could be trapped here for eternity.
Mortals trapped in these lands never fared well. They were more tortured than ghosts in the human realm.
Panic began to consume him.
Keiko slowed and took Masaru by the arm. “Koichi?”
He couldn’t really hear her past the droning in his ears. All he could think about was the doom that awaited them.
Why am I here?
“Koichi!” Masaru slapped him. Hard.
