Chapter 33
Thirty-Three
Hikaru
“We don’t have to do this yet, not if you’re not ready.” Niki’s fingers gripped the back of my neck, kneading the skin there, offering support.
My tails twitched with anxiety. “I’ve put it off long enough.
I’m tired of thinking about it, of second-guessing things.
Besides, we don’t even know if it will work or not.
” I chewed on my bottom lip while twisting my fingers together.
Waves crashed in the background, the wind oddly serene today as Niki and I stood in his back yard, the Pacific Ocean a few feet and a cliff drop away.
“No, we don’t,” Niki agreed.
“This could all be for nothing.”
“It could, or it might bring Inari to our doorstep.”
I swallowed the bile racing up my throat.
I’d considered contacting Keir. If this didn’t work, that would be the next step, but I wanted to try on my own first. I wasn’t really certain why.
I just felt like it was something I needed to do, not that I really knew what I was doing.
Was there a trick to summoning Inari? I had no idea.
I didn’t even know how my own magic worked.
Inhaling the salty ocean air, I closed my eyes and concentrated on that inner core of magic—the area I pulled from when I wanted to translocate or change my appearance.
But instead of doing either, I focused on Inari.
I had no idea what they looked like. My faded memories were of a beautiful woman with shimmering, long black hair.
But Inari was a spirit that saw no reason to conform to gender or image.
Inari could appear however they desired.
My lips twisted with effort as my eyes pinched. I magically called to my creator, begging them to show themself.
The seconds ticked by, twisting into a minute, then two.
Disappointment filled me. Right or wrong, I felt like a failure.
Either that, or Inari had heard my call and chosen to ignore it.
Tails lax, shoulders rolled in and head down, I stared at my clawed toes.
Niki’s fingers never left my neck, offering warmth and support.
That support turned a bit sharper as I heard Niki inhale.
I felt it then, a strong magical presence. There was something familiar in the signature, something lodged deep in the back of memories I’d tried to suppress.
Lifting my head, my eyes slowly opened, my mouth forming an O of surprise and wonder.
Inari stood at the cliff’s edge. Their form was female, jet-black hair shifting with the breeze.
They wore a light pink kimono with brighter pink cherry blossoms along the edge.
Porcelain white skin shone against the pink kimono and accentuated their deep red lips.
Inari’s Asian features spoke of their origin.
Deep brown eyes stared questioningly back at me.
Beyond a hint of curiosity, I couldn’t tell what filled Inari’s mind.
My heart raced as I stared upon my creator.
I was a child of Inari. I’d never doubted that, only their love and affection.
I’d spent all my life feeling abandoned, and here stood the embodiment of that toxic emotion.
While it was very possible the fault did not lay at Inari’s feet, centuries of feelings were difficult to overcome in the few short days I’d had to contemplate the extent of Tenzen’s transgression.
Niki was a silent but strong presence as he waited patiently for me to make the first move. In the end, it was Inari who spoke first. “You are one of mine, and yet, you are not.”
My thundering heart crashed into the very depths of despair. They knew I was wrong. They sensed something about me that relegated me to the realm of other.
“I…” Words stuck in my throat. I had no idea what to say.
Niki became my voice. “Inari, thank you for coming.” His words were clipped but polite. “We were uncertain if Hikaru would be able to summon you or not.”
Inari’s eyes widened before narrowing dangerously. “What game is this you play, Warlock? Hikaru is dead.” Magic swirled around them, lashing out with the increasing wind.
“I’m not dead,” I screamed into the growing gale. “I’m Hikaru.” I’d wondered if Tenzen had kept my name, if he’d even known it. At least my name was true.
“You mock me! My kit is dead. This is a dangerous path you have chosen.”
I pulled away from Niki, pushing against the wind.
When that became too difficult, I dissipated, reforming in front of Inari.
I would not allow their misguided wrath to injure the one I loved.
“I am Hikaru,” I shouted into the wind. Going on pure instinct, I threw myself at Inari, wrapping my arms around them, my tails quickly following suit.
“Please.” I wasn’t even certain what I was begging for.
The wind died, dissipating back into a calm breeze. I squeezed, knowing this could be the last time I was allowed to touch Inari like this. They could dissipate and vanish just as easily as I could.
“H-Hikaru? Are you truly my kit?” The anger was gone, replaced by confusion.
“How? You died. I mourned your passing. I destroyed the lake you drowned in. I…how is this possible?” Inari’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer.
“It is you. Your magic is changed, but its core is still mine. I can feel its thrumming.”
“Inari.” Their name was said on a long sigh.
“My kit.” Inari’s fingers swept through my hair, tugging my head up.
We stared into each other’s eyes. I could feel Inari’s magic searching my soul, weaving its way deep into my core.
The soft, wonderous joy lighting their face when they found what they were looking for lit me up from inside.
“I do not understand how this is possible, only that you are here.” Inari lifted me, my feet sailing off the ground as they spun me in a happy circle.
My tails flew out behind me as Inari’s laughter sang with relieved joy.
The spinning came to an end and my feet landed back on the ground. Gently pushing me away, Inari took a cautious step back as their eyes looked me up and down. I could see the pride in their eyes when they said, “Eight tails.” Inari’s chest puffed up. “Impressive for a kitsune of your age.”
I wiggled all of my tails, putting them on happy display. Vanity was considered a human sin. I had no such misgivings.
Inari stretched out their hand, palm hovering over my chest and eyes slipping closed. A myriad of emotions passed over their face. Their eyes flew open, gaze going past me to Niki. “A warlock bond?” Anger once more flooded Inari’s features. “The warlock will pay for binding you so.”
“No!” I gripped Inari’s arms. “Niki is mine, just as I am his. I willingly agreed to the bond. I love him.” I had not considered Niki might be in danger by me summoning Inari. I’d thought they wouldn’t want me, not that they’d be this overprotective.
Inari appeared confused. “It is consensual?”
“Very much.” I waved Niki closer, wrapping my tails around him.
Going up on tiptoes, I kissed Niki’s cheek.
“I’m his one and only, and he’s mine.” To my limited knowledge, kitsune didn’t have one and onlys the way warlocks did.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t willing to adapt and claim Niki in the same way.
“I do not understand.” Inari’s ire faded into confusion. “What has happened? How are you here when you were dead? How have you come to know this warlock, and why are you in the Americas instead of your homeland?”
Again, Niki was my voice. “There is much to explain. Would you like to remain here, or would you prefer coming into our home?”
Inari tilted their head in thought. “I would like to see where my kit lives.”
“Then come,” Niki said. “And be welcome.”
Unable to resist, I entwined my arm with Inari’s, practically dragging them into our home. “You should have seen it when I first arrived. Everything was so sterile and pristine. Niki didn’t know how to properly live in his dwelling. It was just a house before I arrived, now it’s a home.”
I prattled on and on as I dragged Inari into our home. I was a very proud kitsune and just like vanity, I had no hang-ups when it came to expressing my glowing pride.
After a quick tour, we found ourselves in the living room.
Inari sat primly on a chair while Niki and I sat opposite, me practically in his lap.
I should have offered Inari some tea at the very least, but I was too hyper to do so.
My brain felt like it had been hit with a triple dose of caffeine and couldn’t seem to settle on a single thought.
Niki wound up being my voice again, telling Inari as much of the tale as we understood, while I filled in the blanks I could. Understandably, Inari was furious.
“I will destroy this shadow borne,” Inari fiercely growled. Their face briefly morphed into something monstrous before settling back into the feminine.
“Tenzen Huxley has already been taken care of,” Niki said calmly, attempting to soothe. “At least as much as a shadow borne can be. He’s been buried deep underground where no light can possibly reach him. There, he sleeps eternally. It is the equivalent of death for his species.”
“He should be made to suffer more,” Inari adamantly claimed.
“I don’t disagree,” Niki answered, again, his voice deceptively calm. “However, I am content with the outcome. Huxley is no longer an active threat; however, we are still dealing with the trauma he left in his wake.” Niki pointedly looked at me.
Gripping Niki’s hand, I hoped my tight grip didn’t cause him too much pain. Inhaling deeply, I calmed my mind enough to say, “I’m sorry, Inari. I shouldn’t have believed Tenzen. I… If I’d just called out to you sooner, if I’d—”
“Nonsense. You were but a young kit. If you bear such fault, then I must claim as much for believing the ruse. I was so distraught. You were there, swimming in the lake and then you were simply gone. Your body eventually floated to the surface. In my grief, I vaporized the lake, incinerating your body with it. I am uncertain how this shadow borne tricked me, but I am more the fool for allowing his treacherous scheme to work. It is I who should beg apology.”
“There’s no need.” And truly, there wasn’t. “We’ve both suffered enough. I won’t let Tenzen take another minute from us, not even to waste that minute on what ifs and blame.”
“Wisely spoken, my kitsune.” Inari’s expression softened.
“I cannot properly express the joy I feel this day. I feel light with happiness and peace, though I am not yet ready to share your wisdom. This shadow borne took much from me and that grievous slight is not easily forgotten and shall never be forgiven. Should this shadow borne resurface, I will make certain he suffers the consequences of his actions.” Amber light filled Inari’s eyes.
I had no doubt they would make good on that promise.
Perhaps Inari’s anger should have bothered me. It didn’t. Their anger was for me, not toward me. That made all the difference.
“Should Huxley rise again, many others will desire revenge as well,” Niki coldly offered. “Myself included.”
The intensity of Inari’s gaze settled on Niki. They stared at him for a few heated seconds before giving a firm nod. “I will hold you to that, warlock.”
“As you should,” Niki readily agreed.
The fire lighting Inari’s eyes faded, leaving brilliant chocolate behind. “I am beginning to see the attraction and affection. I will be watching your relationship closely. Should you harm Hikaru in any way—”
“I will gladly submit to whatever punishment you deem fit.”
“No one’s punishing anyone.” The mere thought of anyone, including Inari, harming Niki made me sick.
Instead of getting upset, Inari’s offered me an affectionate smile. Opening their arms, Inari motioned me forward. “Come, sit with me.”
Niki gave me a half grin and little push. “Go on.”
I didn’t need telling twice. Leaping up, I jumped toward Inari, transforming into my fox form midair. Inari caught me, laughing as they placed me in their lap, stroking my fur. I circled before settling, nuzzling against Inari’s touch.
“My beautiful kit. How I’ve missed you. You are home now. You are safe. No one will ever harm you again. Your warlock and I will make certain.”
I’d never imagined such happiness could be real. I was wanted. I was loved. Was there truly any better feeling than that?