Page 64 of Son of Shadows

“I so love your pep talks. They never fail to scare me.”

Masaru chuckled. “Then I’ve done my job correctly.”

Amused, Ryuichi thought about what Masaru had told him. And as he considered his wisdom, his thoughts turned to Kagemura. It’d been a beautiful place . . . on the inside. The outside had been off-putting and frightening.

Kind of like Masaru.

There was compassion inside the kitsune that he spent all his time trying to hide. But it was there, all the same.

Ryuichi wasn’t sure why Masaru didn’t want anyone to know this part of himself, other than he thought it would make him look weak. But Ryuichi believed it took strength to care about someone, knowing that something could harm them, and there was nothing you could do to protect them.

Ryuichi was concerned about the friends he’d made in school. Were Takara and her brother all right? Pym? Ryota? Even the Black Tortoises who’d been less than kind to him. He still didn’t want to see them hurt. In the end, they’d laid their differences aside and had been there to support Ryuichi when he needed them most.

Battles are never as difficult when you don’t have to fight alone, he realized.

While he wasn’t with his friends, Ryuichi could feel his relationship with Masaru was changing. He was becoming a true mentor to him. Ryuichi never thought that would be a possibility. But he was open to it all the same.

“Thanks, Masaru.”

He nodded. “All good. I have been told from time to time—not from Keiko, mind you—that I do actually use my head for something other than a battering ram.”

Ryuichi laughed. “You think the others are all right?”

“I’m sure. Koichi’s stubborn and hard to kill. Like a cockroach. I’m sure when the end of the world comes, he’ll be one of the last creatures standing.”

Ryuichi smiled at the thought. “True.”

“And I’d never worry about Haruki. She’s cunning and clever.”

“What about my shadow?”

Masaru’s face fell a bit, like he wasn’t sure how to answer that question. “Given that he’s a part of you, I’m rather sure you’d know if anything happened to him.”

“Like, I’d start to feel sick or something?”

“Yes. But you’re okay, right?”

“I think so. I’m just worrying about stuff I shouldn’t be. What else is new?”

Masaru brushed his hand through Ryuichi’s hair. “Don’t buy yourself troubles, botchan. Life will make sure you get more than your fair share. No need to take on any unnecessary ones.”

He had a point about that too.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over them.

Ryuichi looked up to find Katsu standing over them. He dropped that hated wooden sword onto Ryuichi’s lap. “Since we have idle time, shall we train?”

“More?” How could Katsu even think about it? Just twenty-four hours ago, they’d barely survived Lord Hayasaka’s castle burning down. He felt like he’d been scooped up by an oni, chewed, and spat into a boulder.

“Can’t I have the day off? I’m tired, Katsu.”

Katsu kicked Ryuichi. “War doesn’t stop because you’re tired, young sir. Your enemies won’t take mercy on you, so I’m not doing you any favors if I take mercy on you. Now, rise. You need to learn to fight even when you’re exhausted and especially when you’re exhausted.”

Groaning, Ryuichi forced himself to his feet and retrieved the sword. This was the last thing he wanted to do, but he knew the old tengu was right.

War waited on no one.

Katsu walked a few feet away and stepped into a fighting stance. Ryuichi did the same. Suddenly, a cloud of glittering mist formed and Yumi appeared. She nodded at Ryuichi as if to say, “I believe in you,” and Ryuichi felt a surge of hope that he might find the strength to take on his master.