Page 93 of Son of Shadows

The shinigami approached him slowly. “He hasn’t left.” He gestured at the ground behind Ryuichi. “He will always be with you.”

Ryuichi sighed, feeling a level of peace and calm that he didn’t know existed. He squeezed Yumi’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you for helping us.”

“My pleasure,” she said, letting go of his hand.

The shinigami gestured toward Koichi and Haruki. “My name is Shima. These two belong to you, don’t they?”

“As much as I’d like to deny it . . . yes. They’re ours,” Masaru joked.

“We’re so glad you didn’t die,” Koichi said, pulling Ryuichi into a hug.

Ryuichi laughed. “Same!”

What a relief this all was. Except . . .

“Where’s Keiko? Is she all right?” Ryuichi asked. He was worried about what Koichi might say, but he had to know what happened to the kitsune.

“She fled back to the human world,” Koichi said. “As far as we know, she hasn’t been captured or hurt.”

Shima confirmed it by saying, “Your friend is alive. She’s hiding, and safe.”

Ryuichi was about to leap for joy, when he heard someone moving through the forest. Ryukage emerged from behind a tree, and Koichi went to draw his sword out of instinct before realizing he was unarmed.

“Don’t worry. He’s on our side,” Ryuichi said.

His sensei looked at him, impressed. “You did it. You did the impossible. I can’t believe what I’m about to say, but I have never been prouder of you.”

Ryuichi almost blushed. It meant so much to see his teacher beam with pride like this.

As for Ryukage, Ryuichi noticed he was staring at Haruki, perhaps looking for an opportunity to ask forgiveness. But she couldn’t take her eyes off Koichi. She wasn’t glaring at him like she usually did.

No, she was watching him in a . . . loving way.

Ryuichi was completely confused. “Something’s different with you two.”

They weren’t sniping at or insulting each other anymore either.

It was weird, but also nice at the same time.

“We don’t have time to dwell on that,” Koichi said in a serious tone. “We have a battle to fight. And in case no one’s noticed, we’re still down an army.”

“Army for what?” Shima asked.

Ryukage gestured for the group to follow him. Ryuichi trailed behind as they left the forest and hid in the brush again to scout the enemy’s soldiers.

Shima hissed at the sight. “You’re taking on the World Eater?”

“That’s the plan,” Ryukage said.

“With no army . . .” Shima shook his head.

“We never said it was a particularly good plan,” Masaru added.

“It’s a good plan if you’re planning a suicide,” said Shima.

Haruki held up her hand to get their attention. “Most of us would rather live.”

Suddenly, a loud cry sounded above them. Ryuichi looked up to see a yōkai in the tree, over their heads. They’d been spotted, and this was a warning to the others.