And the World Turns to Ash
by Shuuki

"So hot..."

"Shhhh... It'll be all right soon..." Keskei stroked the forehead of his younger companion. If the boy's eyes had been able to focus he would've seen the untruth of those soothing words in the elder's pensive gaze.

Keskei's head snapped upward as he heard the heavy crunch of footsteps echoing across the forest. Though the cry of wolfhounds was still far off he instinctively moved into the shadows, flattening the two of them against the cool wall of the deep ravine. Shun moaned and he tried to calm him, rocking him in his arms.

"Mama..."

"Shun... Hush, Shun. Keskei's here..." He murmured and smoothed the boy's bangs back from his damp forehead. “God he's burning to a cinder...”

A harsh bark tore through the darkness above the ravine. Keskei pulled Shun against him in a panicky grip. “So close! They've got his scent.” He wiped his dark mass of hair out of his eyes, leaving muddy streaks across his skin. He laid Shun down on the cool bank and began covering him with damp dirt and leaves. The brush seemed to hiss against the boy's hot skin.

“Got to keep his temperature down...” Keskei worked as swiftly and silently as possible, fumbling in the dark to cover his companion. His eyes widened as the boy's platinum hair began to shimmer. “No!” A fistful of wet earth dropped from his hand as he heard the sharp snap of a branch. He whirled about and froze on the spot. He was sure there was something on the lip of the ridge. A spark begged attention at his left, but he remained motionless, fixed on the point above him.

Seconds lengthened into an eternity. The universe seemed to slow its rotation and its sound died out as Keskei’s focus contracted to that single point. A beat... two... he was suddenly in the air, kunai appearing in his hand. A sleek form leapt to meet him, fangs bared and frothing, and was cut down before it had the chance to yelp. The boy and the wolfhound crashed to the muddy bank with a wet thud. Keskei didn't even stop to withdraw his kunai from the dog's throat as he scrambled over its body to his friend.

A multitude of color was beginning to rise from Shun's head, hairs lifting and flowing upward as if drawn by an invisible force. Keskei clamped a muddy hand over the sparkling tresses, wincing as they hissed against his flesh. Some of the tips were already singed, leaving them ragged and discolored. Keskei held them in his limp hands.

His eyes squeezed shut and he balled his fists, trembling on his knees and breathing hard as he struggled with himself for control... “I'll protect you... Shun!” His eyes flew open again and he began covering the boy's hair with dirt and leaves. Once Shun was camouflaged to his satisfaction, he got to his feet and wearily made his way back over to the lifeless dog.

“They'll notice one of them is gone from the search party...” he thought as he yanked the kunai from its throat. He wiped the blade on some grass and sheathed it and remained in his squat for a moment, considering. Suddenly he began scooping mud over the corpse, burying it.

“Got to keep our scents down...”

By the time he'd hidden the animal, the moon had sunk out of sight. He pulled himself up with effort and shuffled back to Shun's side. With a grunt he collapsed against the dirt wall, pulling Shun into his lap. The younger boy had fallen into a fitful sleep and clung to him instinctively. "At least his fever is down a bit," Keskei muttered to himself. He thumbed the boy's forehead as he stared up through the canopy of roots jutting from the wall. The sky was dark and clear, the stars winking brightly through the bare treetops hundreds of feet above.

"Shun..." he heard himself say as exhaustion ended his long night.

~~~~

"Keskei!" A peal of merry laughter followed the older boy's name, and he ran toward it, the browning grass giving way under his swift feet. Shun stood waving on a low hill just ahead of him. The sun lit his silky tangle of platinum hair and he giggled as it tickled his flushed cheeks. "Look Keskei!" He spun around as his friend pulled to a stop before him, panting lightly. Keskei rested his hands on his knees and looked around them; the air was filled with milkweed billowing up from the valley. The sun caught their wispy threads, setting them aglow like fuzzy stars. Shun stretched his little hands above his head, his eyes wide with delight as he twirled about. His laughter echoed across the fields and Keskei found himself chuckling. The sound was infectious and it worked its way into him until he was twirling too. He laughed and spun himself dizzy, grasping Shun's arm and collapsing with him on the autumn grass. Shun giggled and gasped for breath, trying to snatch at passing wisps through his spinning vision. Keskei turned his head and watched Shun's attempts, a grin on his face. Shun's hair seemed to float on the breeze, catching the prism of sunrays as if it had no color of its own. The boy's eyes were the same, large and pale, and nameless for color - they seemed to be every color all at once. "If you catch one," the boy's sweet voice broke through Keskei's thoughts, "you get a wish." Shun cupped his hands together and blew, sending his captive milkweed back onto the wind. "But you have to let it go." He smiled and turned to Keskei.

~~~~

Keskei's eyes snapped open as the something heavy landed on his arm. All at once he was in a squat, Shun pulled tight against his chest. The sound of tumbling rock was all around him and he shielded his eyes as dirt peppered his vision. He tucked Shun's face against his shirt, away from the shower of debris, and tried to keep him quiet as he waited for it to subside. It lasted only a few moments, but several minutes passed before Keskei made any attempts to move away from the ravine wall. Slowly he released Shun's face from his shirt and brushed the dirt out of his hair as the boy blinked groggily up at him. "Kes..kei..."

A gentle smile broke over the older boy's face, "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"...Thirsty..."

Keskei propped Shun against the wall as he continued to brush the previous night's bracken from the boy's clothes. "Stay here. I'll get you some water."

Shun nodded and sat with his head titled back against the wall, looking up at the sky. His eyes were gray and bright with the early morning light. Keskei ran an assessing gaze over Shun's slight body before getting to his feet. “He looks pale...” he thought as he made his way to the ravine's bank. He stooped down and surveyed the gray sky, trying to gauge the time, before scooping some water into his hand. He sipped at it thoughtfully, ears pricked for the slightest threat. “The rock shower was natural… They've moved off... but they won't stop the search...” He cupped his hands together and dipped them back into the frigid water. He got to his feet, and walked briskly back to his companion, droplets streaming from his crude cup. He knelt down and brought his hands to Shun's chapped lips. "Don't drink too quickly; it's cold."

Shun swallowed the water eagerly, closing his eyes and relishing the cold slipping down his raw throat.

"Shun!" Keskei admonished. "I told you, it's cold! You'll make yourself sick." He made an exasperated sound.

The platinum-haired boy looked up at him with his expressive eyes. "Sorry, Keskei..."

Those cow-eyes always got the better of him. Keskei shifted his gaze to his pants, wiping his wet hands on the fabric. He grunted, "Do you want more?"

Shun smiled brightly. "Yes, please."

Keskei got to his feet and headed back toward the ravine, calling over his shoulder, "Try and clean yourself up a bit if you're feeling better. We can't stay here much longer."

Shun made an agreeable sound and began picking leaves out of his hair. “I'm so dirty...” He tried to piece the previous night together as he groomed himself. A shudder coursed through him as he recalled the baying of hounds... sirens... stumbling... darkness... heat... heat... His fingers lost their place in his hair, trembling against his scalp as he squeezed his eyes shut. Heat...

"Shun!" The boy's eyes shot open and he looked up into the concerned face of his friend. "What's wrong?!"

"Uh, n-no. Nothing, Keskei," he smiled shakily.

"Are you feeling sick again?" Keskei held a cool, dripping hand against Shun's forehead.

"Not really." Shun tried to smile as convincingly as he could.

Keskei regarded him carefully before placing his hands on the boy's shoulders and gazing down into his strange eyes. "I won't let them take you back," he stated firmly.

Shun's eyes widened as he stared back at his friend. Tears suddenly welled up at their corners as memory came crashing back to the fore of his mind. "Keskei..." he moaned pitifully.

The other boy's dark eyes hardened. "I said I won't let them have you and I won't! So don't cry, Shun."

Shun lowered his head and pawed at his face with the sleeve of his shirt, smudging dirt across his cheeks. "Un... Keskei... I won't..." His head bobbed back up with one of those unexpectedly blinding smiles.

Keskei's eyes softened, and he hid a smile with scolding. "You're all dirty again, Shun." He licked his thumb and rubbed at Shun's tear-streaked skin, Shun straining away with a childish groan. Keskei continued scrubbing until the last of the salt and mud disappear before pulling the boy gingerly to his feet. "I told you we can't stay here, Shun. Can you walk?" Shun nodded brightly and the two started down the waterway. When Keskei was sure of their pace, he removed his support from around Shun's waist, and as the pair picked their way over fallen trees he kept an eye out for a straight, sturdy branch. When he'd found one, he gave it to Shun to use as a walking stick. Satisfied that Shun was comfortable, he was finally able to turn his concentration toward a plan. They had come about five kevars, traveling west along the bank. It would do no good to continue where the ground was soft and they'd leave tracks, and with winter’s approach the water would be too cold to walk in. As they walked Keskei watched for a decline in the ravine where he could climb to the top. Eventually he spotted a cluster of dense roots and waved Shun toward the wall. "Stay here, Shun. I'll only be a minute."

"Yes, Keskei." Shun leaned against the earthen wall, drawing patterns around his feet with his stick.

The roots creaked but held Keskei's light weight as he scaled the wall. He poked his head carefully over the edge and surveyed the surrounding forest. The only sounds were that of the water below and the crows above. His gaze swept the area rapidly. “No deer... two rodents... six... seven crows all together...” Their low, repetitive squawks signaled no danger. Keskei looked down through the roots at Shun, and winked. "All clear."

Shun beamed up at Keskei as the older boy shimmied down to help him to the top. Keskei extended an arm and paused as he caught sight of Shun's doodles in the sand. Shun placed his delicate hand in Keskei's and tilted his head at his friend's furrowed expression. "Keskei?"

Keskei started and turned Shun around. "You'd better stamp out your drawings before we go." He sighed. "Really, you need to be more careful, Shun."

A slight blush crept over the younger boy's cheeks as he blurred his designs with his sandal. "Sorry Keskei..."

The older boy watched as Shun erased the intricate lines and ran back up to him. He secured the walking stick to Shun’s back and offered his hand again. "Let's go." Shun smiled and nodded, retaking Keskei's hand and following him up the root ladder. The pair emerged from the crevice onto the forest floor and Keskei lead them deeper into the woods where the trees began to clear and the ground was harder, pushing steadily west. He wanted to cover as much distance as he could while Shun was feeling well. The boy clung to his heels, humming to himself as he mimicked Keskei's footsteps. Keskei glanced back at him. “He's doing better than I thought... but we need to reach a village.” His eyes darted through the naked boughs above and his nostrils flared. “The sky will bring snow soon.”

Dawn's light grew into morning and morning deepened into afternoon as the young travelers trudged through the ancient forest. Keskei's pace only seemed to increase as the day wore on. He trekked forward in silence, a grim grip on Shun's hand. Shun panted behind him, doing his best to keep up, clutching his stomach as it rumbled. It had been growling for an hour now and his head had begun to ache. He screwed his brows together in concentration, counting the beat of Keskei's steps to keep pace. “One, two, three, four, fi—“ Keskei's back suddenly collided with his face as he came to an abrupt halt. Shun stumbled backward, clutching his nose with a surprised yip, Keskei clampling a hand over Shun's mouth and pulled him behind a tree. Shun panted against Keskei's palm as he heard the rapid thump of something pelting the trunk. Keskei uttered a low curse and clutched Shun to him. He wasn’t able to judge how many there were before they'd fired. A kunai sprang between his fingers and he gritted his teeth. "Shun!" he whispered. "On my back. Now!" He released the younger boy and whirled around.

Shun swayed on his feet for a moment, disoriented, before grasping Keskei's shirt. A wiry arm threaded around his leg and the other drove a kunai in the bark of the tree trunk. Keskei was suddenly scaling the tree, plunging and pulling himself up with the knife, Shun clinging piggyback. Sharp projectiles followed his path amidst fading shouts below. Shun whimpered and buried his face in Keskei's shirt as something whizzed past his ear. Labored breath pushed in and out of Keskei's lungs as he ran a straight line for a high branch. “Ten... five... two kivirs left...” He heaved himself one last time with a shout as he landed heavily, holding Shun steady as he secured a foothold. Shun was deposited against the trunk, sandwiched between the wood and his friend. Keskei glanced wildly about the land below them - five men, one hound. He tried to catch his breath as he watched them close in on the tree, guns pointed upward. Shun was sobbing softly against him, hands fisted in the back of his shirt. Keskei laid a reassuring hand on Shun's leg as he watched their pursuers circle the tree. His dark eyes glared through his spiky bangs. “You think you've cornered us...”

"So!" Shun jumped as Keskei shouted, "You can't hit a stationary target!"

Shun whimpered and pulled at Keskei's shirt. "Keskei! Stop!"

The older boy ignored Shun's pleas and resumed his taunting. "You couldn't hit a moving target, so it's no surprise!" The troops below remained motionless, unmoved by his insults. “Didn't expect they'd fall for that. They're worried we'll be damaged if we fall from this height.” Keskei cursed to himself. “They're calling for backup…” He clenched his fist. "Shun. Give me your stick." The younger boy only trembled against him, sniffling. "Shun!" Keskei's voice seemed to rouse him a bit and he pulled the walking stick off his back. Keskei took it from Shun's shaky grasp, noting how the troops tensed and followed his movement. The boy's dirty hands flexed over the stick's smooth surface and he inhaled deeply. "Shun," His voice was level and commanding, "Whatever happens, don't move. Do you understand?"

"Keskei..."

"Do you understand?"

Shun bit his rosy lower lip and nodded against Shun's neck. His head snapped back up as Keskei's voice returned, softer. "I'll protect you." Suddenly Keskei was in motion, speeding away from Shun across the branch. He blocked out the sound of Shun yelling his name, shrinking his focus to the immediate volley of darts that launched from the troops below. A grin appeared on his face as skidded to a halt, Shun’s stick stretched out before him. His pupils contracted. “Nine!” The stick spun in his hands. Nine darts appeared with a rapid succession of thunks in the wood of the staff. “All I need!” Keskei withdrew the darts between his fingers like kunai and crouched. He smirked to himself as he exploded into motion again, darting back down the branch toward Shun. The darts whipped from between his fingers with deadly precision as he ran. Three men fell clutching their throats; one collapsed holding his leg before passing out. The remaining man ducked for cover amongst the trees.

Shun had panicked as Keskei sped away from him. But he remained rooted to his spot against the trunk, biting his nails as he watched Keskei freeze halfway down the branch. Shun’s hand had fallen away from his mouth as he watched Keskei brandish his stick, an awed sound escaping him. “He caught all the darts… Keskei’s… so strong.” He spotted the grin on the older boy’s face and smiled back as Keskei closed the distance between them. There could only have been a kivir between them when Keskei’s expression faltered. Shun cried out as a dart connected with Keskie’s arm and his body went rigid. The stick dropped from Keskei’s hand and the rest of him followed, slipping from the branch and plunging toward the forest floor. Shun scrambled desperately toward him, screaming his name. Without hesitation he dove off the branch and clamped onto Keskei’s falling body. The air whistled past them as they fell, dragging tears from Shun’s eyes. "Keskei! Keskei!" he wailed as he gripped the unresponsive boy. He buried his face against Keskei’s chest. “Don’t leave me! Keskei, I’m scared. Hot… Keskei it’s hot again…” The threads of Keskei’s shirt began to unravel where Shun’s fingers clung, retreating from the scorching heat springing from each fingertip. Sparks like waking embers flew from his platinum hair, leaving a sparkling trail in their wake. Shun sucked cool air into his lungs against the heat flaring to life inside him. "Keskei!" His heart rate spiked and he clutched his friend… his only friend. "Keskeiiiii!"

His scream was lost in darkness and heat.

~~~~

The babble of rushing water reached through the darkness and called to Keskei. “Water?...” The thought moved sluggishly in his brain. He struggled to open his eyes, blinking against a wave of pain pounding through his temples. As the sky came into focus, he realized he was on his back, gray clouds drifting lazily above him. Something was different about the sky though... What was it? He stifled a cry as he tried to sit up, pain lancing through his limbs and fell back to his original position, wincing at a particularly tender spot on his back. He lay motionless for a moment, collecting himself. 'Where am I?' The sky still troubled him, and his nose detected an acrid scent in the air... smoke... Shun! Where was Shun? Keskei ignored his body's shriek of protest as he jolted to a sitting position. "Shun?!"

His body relaxed as he spied the boy curled up at his feet, sound asleep. A sigh of relief rushed out of him, triggering a coughing fit that forced him down on one elbow. He rolled over on his side, wheezing for air, the reek of smoke rushing in and out of his lungs. “Why?” Keskei raised his head and froze. Where the ancient wood should be lay a waste of charred trees. Straggling flames still lingered in some of the trunks and clouds of ash and smoke wound upward through what was left of their boughs. It was clear what had struck him odd about the sky - no branches remained to block it.

How long was it before Keskei realized he wasn't breathing? He launched into another coughing jag and dragged himself over to the river on his stomach. He lapped at the icy water and collapsed panting, face against the cold, wet ground. Gone? How could the entire forest be gone? How long had he been by this river with Shun? The river... how had they reached it? Keskei wanted to laugh. They had been more than 12 kevars from the river. Keskei did laugh; he laughed until he was coughing again, sputtering and clutching his ribs. The roar that had begun to build in his head was deafening by now. Darkness was swallowing him again. No matter. Keskei smiled to himself. This certainly couldn't be anything but a delirious dream.

The second awakening was much more pleasant. Warm softness encompassed him and the smell of smoke was replaced by a clean, indoor scent. Keskei shifted under thick blankets and opened his eyes slowly. He was on his back again, but a bare ceiling blocked the sky. The same pain coursed through his body as he bolted upright, but returned duller than before. Shun lay beside him, the top of his head peaking out from beneath a heavy quilt. Keskei's senses focused rapidly this time, and his eyes gathered the details of this new space even as he moved to Shun's side. A patch of moonlight lit the room through a skylight over Shun's futon. The walls were bare save a single decorative scroll, and a window stood open on the far end of the room, a chime swinging in the evening breeze. Keskei pulled the covers back from Shun's face and breathed a sigh of relief. The air tickled his lungs but not enough to cough. He brushed a hair away from Shun's face, searching for injury. A small bandage was taped to his cheek but nothing more. Keskie let Shun's hair slide through his fingers, a pained look crossing his features; it was ragged and uneven, the lovely platinum singed at the tips. Keskei pulled the rest of the covers back. A simple soap scent wafted up from Shun's body making Keskei smile slightly, but his smile was short-lived as he caught sight of the bandages wrapped around various spots on the boy's legs and arms. Shun's hands were hidden completely by white gauze.

"He'll be fine. He's not as weak as he looks."

Keskei whirled at the unexpected voice, hand instinctively grasping for his absent kunai. A young man lounged against the doorjamb of the room's only exit, arms crossed. At first glance he appeared no older than late teens or early twenties with a slim build and dark blue hair stopping just short of his shoulders. His smile was lazily, his indigo eyes glinting in the moonlight. He nodded to a spot on the floor next to Keskei's futon. Keskei's eyes flicked downward to his set of kunai, laid in a neat row next to the mattress before darting back to the stranger.

"Who are you?"

"Who are you?" the stranger returned. He chuckled as Keskei stared at him stoically. "I am Inari. You are in Moku Village, Mikado. You are survivors of a fire in the Ancient Forest and guests in my home. Sufficient?"

Keskei nodded and dipped in a scant bow, never breaking eye contact. "Thanks, Inari o Moku."

The tan-skinned host raised an eyebrow and a smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Inari is fine. Are you hungry?" Keskei nodded again and glanced at Shun. "He'll be all right. He’s been up and about for the past few days while you've been snoring." Inari smiled as Keskei leveled another stony look on him. He pushed off the doorway toward the home's interior. "Come. This way." Keskei tucked the quilt back under Shun's chin and padded after the young man.

The next room was not much larger than the first. A table and two chairs, a bookcase, and an oversized pillow were the only furnishings. Straw tatami lined most of the floor, excepting a strip of hardwood that ran along one wall to support a cast iron stove and a metal sink. A staircase leading to the street could be seen outside of a window by the apartment door. Keskei took a seat as Inari waved toward the table. He watched hungrily as the young man scooped some rice gruel from a large pot into a dish. Inari placed the dish on a tray and filled two teacups to the brim, addinf some pickles to the platter before joining Keskei at the table. Keskei devoured the meal with relish, washing it down with the fragrant tea. He found it hard to keep mindful of Inari's watchful eyes, the atmosphere of the little apartment exuding comfort and safety. Once full and content, Keskei set his chopsticks across the bowl and sat back against his chair. He regarded his host, who had remained silent throughout his midnight meal. "Inari…"

"You'd like me to describe the events that brought you here."

Keskei nodded.

"The Ancient Wood is all but gone." Inari caught Keskei tense at his statement. "No one could believe that two children had escaped the blaze. It seemed they had somehow washed down the Sunao River to the mouth of the forest, where Moku begins. Word went out to the village that two boys had been found, but no one claimed them as their own. The older boy seemed to have suffered smoke-inhalation and some minor burns. The younger boy was in much worse shape." Inari continued hurriedly as Keskei leaned forward. "His hair was scorched and his skin cut and burned. His hands seemed to have suffered the brunt of it... as if he had reached into the fire itself." Keskei was rigid in his seat, gripping the table’s edge as Inari paused. "The village doctor offered to take the boys in, but I intervened. The doctor is overwhelmed with patients as it is, and my family has passed down a certain balm for burns through the generations. Shun will recover, Keskei."

The boy leaned back in his chair again, hands on his knees. He was silent but obviously relieved by Inari's account. His eyes widened as the man added, "But what I found most peculiar were your wounds, Keskei... and the two burn marks on your shoulders." A memory of lying by the river flashed through Keskei's mind; his back had been especially sore. Inari leaned toward the boy, chin in his hands. "It is the shape that intrigues me the most."

~~~~

Keskei sat cross-legged on his futon, hands resting limp in his lap. His eyes were fixed on a small scrap of paper wedged between his fingers. Inari had drawn an image of what was hidden on his back. He tore his gaze from the patterns etched in charcoal and turned them to his sleeping friend.

“Do you know how you received these burns?” the man had asked.

Keskei’s hand wandered to his shoulder blades and fingered the patches of gauze taped there.

“No,” he had lied.

“I see. Well, get some rest. You have some recovering to do.”

Keskei closed his eyes. Inari had treated them kindly but warning still gnawed at his heart. The man’s indigo eyes made him uneasy; they saw more than a typical villager’s. He’d not even heard Inari enter the room when he’d first woken. Keskei opened his eyes and watched the steady rise and fall of Shun’s breath. They would need to leave soon. Trouble would follow them, whether the troops came or not. The brunet’s gaze was drawn back to the image in his hand. If the pattern had not been so splotchy, one could mistake it for a tattoo. Twin prints connected at the center of the paper, four dotted lines rising from a square of four intricate spirals. Each dot was a complex spiral pattern in and of itself, the two fattest of the dotted lines joining at their tips in the middle. Keskei gripped the paper. If the pattern had not been so intricate, one could mistake it for the shape of two hands joined at the thumbs… Shun’s hands. “I deserve it…” thought Keskei, “…this scar. Shun… I didn’t protect you when you needed me.” The paper crinkled in his fist. “But I swear on it I won’t fail you again. I’ll take you far away like I promised. I won’t let KAIJIN have you!” Unheard feet moved away from the bedroom door as the boy lay down, tucking the drawing under his pillow.

~~~~

“Keskei.” A smiling face was hovering over his, the morning crowning the face’s head in sunlight.

“Shun?” Keskei sighed.

“You’re awake!” chirped Shun’s sunny voice. His bandaged hands were on Keskei’s arm. “I’m so glad.” His smile faltered. “I was afraid…”

Keskei laid a hand on top of Shun’s and the bright smile returned. “Are you hungry?” he asked excitedly. “Inari made breakfast. I helped! Can you walk?” Keskei smiled at Shun’s uncharacteristic energy and pushed back the covers. “Inari gave me some new clothes,” Shun continued. “They’re too big,” He pulled at the edges of his oversized shirt, the fabric tenting around his slim torso. He jumped to his feet as Keskei made to stand up, trying to help. Keskei declined his efforts gently.

“See? I’m fine, Shun.” He flexed his biceps with a comical grin and Shun giggled.

“What are you doing, Shun? Isn’t that lay-about up yet?” a voice called from the next room.

“Coming, Inari!” Shun tugged at Keskei’s arm. “Come on, Keskei.”

“Coming, coming.”

The smell of something warm and delicious permeated the main room. Inari stood over the cast iron stove, ladling soup into a few chipped bowls. He placed them on a tray next to plates piled with fish and rice and brought it to the table. Shun plopped into a chair and scooted to the table. Keskei hung back, regarding Inari. The man tucked his blue hair behind one ear and looked up at the boy. “Don’t worry about me,” he smiled. “Take a seat. I’m not used to many visitors so I don’t have many chairs.” Keskei gave a brief nod and settled into the other chair. “I don’t have much savory food either,” he apologized. “But Shun was very helpful with the soup.” Shun beamed up at Inari from the rim of his bowl. “He tells me he’s never cooked before,” Inari continued as he headed back to the stove. He stoked the fire beneath the teakettle. “Didn’t you ever help your mother in the kitchen?” The bowl froze at Shun’s lips and he placed it slowly back down on the table. Keskei continued with his mouthful of rice, picking meat from the fishbone with his chopsticks. Inari replaced the burner cover and moved to the counter. He unfolded a paper packet and began shaking leaves into a teapot. “Where are your parents now?” He glanced at the pair, adding after a few moments of tense silence, “No doubt they’re worried about you.”

Keskei broke the silence. “We worry for each other.” He placed his chopsticks across his bowl and turned his dark eyes on his host. “Orphans can depend only on themselves.”

“Really?” Inari answered casually, as if they were discussing the weather. He filled the pot with hot water and joined them at the table. He placed two cups down and smiled at Keskei. “It doesn’t seem you’re doing a good job of it.”

Keskei’s chair tumbled loudly to the floor as he sprang to his feet. “What do you know about it?!” he ground out.

“Keskei!” Shun wiggled out of his seat and ran around the table, clutching at his friend’s shirtsleeve.

Inari sat down in Shun’s place and rested his chin in one hand. “Well I know you’re in my house eating my food, wearing my bandages and my medicine.” Keskei bristled and balled his fists. Shun made a plaintive sound and squeezed Keskei’s arm, glancing desperately between the two. Inari matched Keskei’s glare with a serious look. “Look at yourselves and tell me I’m wrong.” Keskei grit his teeth. “You won’t get far, with no money, no supplies.” Inari’s voice deepened as he flicked his eyes to Shun. “How will you protect him?” Keskei’s fists shook and his eyes disappeared under his thick bangs.

“Keskei…” Shun held onto his friend.

A low chuckle emerged from beneath the dark hair and Inari raised his eyebrows. Keskei placed a hand on Shun’s and raised his head with a smirk. “And what? You’ll take care of us then?”

Inari gave the boy a good-natured smile. “Maybe; if you ask nicely.”

“And who will protect you?” Keskei shot back. “Don’t make me laugh. You have no idea what you’re saying.”

“Ho? Protect me? From who? You, little man?”

Keskei was in the air in an instant, landing crouched on the table, fist knotted in Inari’s shirt. “You tryin’ to pick a fight with me? Don’t think that just because you showed us some kindness that you can walk all over us!” The boy’s angry face was inches from Inari’s nose. “I’m sick of bastards like you trying to control us and I’ll take on any one that gets in my way!”

Inari and Keskei held each other’s stare, neither backing down. Shun’s hands suddenly appeared around Keskei’s waist. He’d climbed up on the table and buried his head against the small of Keskei’s back. “Stop. Please stop.”

Keskei released Inari’s shirt with a thrust and leapt off the table. He stalked out the apartment door, slamming it behind him, Shun scrambled after him, calling his name. Inari smoothed his shirt as the boy ran outside and dropped his chin back into his hands. He watched the forgotten door swinging wide in the morning breeze and snickered. “So easy to provoke.”

Keskei stormed down the dirt road that ran past Inari’s building, hands thrust into his pockets. Brown eyes glared ahead, blind to where he was headed, and he barely heard the slap of Shun’s bare feet as the boy caught up to him. Shun fell in step behind Keskei, watching his hunched shoulders and chewing on his bottom lip as he followed in silence. The street was already alive with morning bustle. Ladles of purifying water splashed across doorsteps, vendors spread awnings above their carts of winter vegetables, and merchants ran to and fro, yokes of rice bouncing on their shoulders. Narrow streets were a meandering patchwork of houses of riveted sheet metal, bamboo, and wood. Painted signs of every color crowded the rooftops, the names of noodle houses, shops, and inns vying to outdo the others. But the cresting symbol for water seemed to permeate it all as the pervading mark of the village. The boisterous activity and signage passed the boys unnoticed, eventually thinning as the road opened up into clear land. Rolling green meadows of thick clover spread out on both sides of the town, hemmed to the north by the Sunao. A watermill turned slowly on the distant waterway and a few village women could be seen along the banks, gathering reeds into large bundles. After about a half kevar the road began to bend to the south, but Keskei maintained his linear course, shuffling down an incline of grass toward a grove of trees. Shun danced lightly behind him, watching the ground and trying to avoid bees with his bare feet.

Keskei’s nose twitched as he neared the copse and he finally raised his head to take in his surroundings. Shun bounded up behind him, coming to a halt as he caught it too. The charred odor of burnt woodland emanated from beyond the perimeter of trees, and Keskei stood scenting the breeze as it played across his face and through his hair. The townspeople had been fortunate, he thought. The winds were blowing southward, carrying the smell away from the village. His eyes narrowed and he headed to the base of one of the young trees. A few swift leaps and he was standing among the leaves on one of its highest branches. He ignored the faint cry of his name from below and looked out over the expanse of what had been the Ancient Wood. The immense black stain that was left stood out in shocking contrast to the green land of Moku. Thin streams of gray smoke still wafted skyward from the waste, like dying campfires. A lump formed in Keskei’s throat as he grappled with the sight before him. “How can it all be gone? Shun, you…” He closed his eyes against the image with a shaky breath and turned around toward the village. He heard Shun call his name again and made his way back down the branches.

The smell of burning had paralyzed Shun in his tracks. It invaded his senses and his arms wrapped around himself, eyes wide and glassy with an unnamed dread. He could feel his heart begin to thud against his chest, sending the blood pounding into his temples. He called out Keskei’s name as he stood shivering on the cusp of the woods, but no one came. Flashes of orange, red, and black cut across his vision and he sank to his knees with a low moan, hands clamped on either side of his head. A thin sheen of perspiration formed on his skin as he struggled for breath. He remembered fire, heat, screaming… alone. “Kes…kei!”

The older boy’s sharp eyes spied the huddled form of his friend as he descended the young tree. Keskei skipped the last bottom branches, landing hard on the ground and sprinting over to him. “Shun! Shun, what’s wrong?” He squatted in front of Shun and grabbed his wrists, relaxing a bit at the feel of the boy’s skin. Shun’s skin was perpetually warmer compared to most people’s, but the temperature hadn’t risen. Keskei gently pried Shun’s hands from his hair and forced him to meet his gaze. “Shun…” he said softly. Colorless orbs met dark and focus crept back into them. Shun suddenly threw his arms around Keskei, sobbing and falling into his lap as he knocked him backward. Keskei stroked Shun’s unruly hair as the boy wept, murmuring with mock annoyance. “Tsk. You’re such a crybaby, Shun. Shhh, tell me what’s wrong.”

“Where are they?” Shun cried against Keskie’s shirt.

Keskei was puzzled. “Who, Shun?”

Shun raised his tear-stained face and stuttered through his sobs, “What happened to all the men that were ch-chasing us? W-where are they now?”

“I told you, Shun. I won’t let them hav-“

Shun babbled over Keskei’s reassurance. “You were falling and then it was hot and I… I heard a man screaming… I… I!”

Keskei’s eyes widened as he realized what Shun meant. He crushed the boy to him fiercely. “Stop it, Shun. It’s not your fault. I won’t let anyone say it is! They got what they deserved.” Shun’s answering groan was low and pathetic, and Keskei felt tears sting his own eyes at the sound. He held Shun’s little body, rocking him gently. “Don’t cry,” he whispered, “Don’t cry, Shun.” Guilt stabbed him with each of the boy’s little sobs. “It’s my fault,” Keskei stated. “If I hadn’t been hit… if I had protected you…”

Shun’s head popped up from between Keskei’s arms. “No! Keskei has always protected Shun! Keskei is strong and good and… and…”

Keskei laid his hand on Shun’s head and gave him a warm little smile. “Shun is good too. Keskei won’t let anyone say otherwise.” Fresh tears welled up in Shun’s wide eyes and he threw himself back in Keskei’s lap. The older boy leaned back against the tree trunk and petted Shun’s platinum hair. “We’re free now, Shun. You don’t have to cry anymore. I’ll take care of you.” He fingered a stiff, singed lock. “I promise.”

A muffled “Un” came from Keskei’s lap and he smiled faintly. His eyes wandered to the pale blue sky as he stroked Shun’s head. The morning sun peaked through the leaves of the trees, fingers of sunlight struggling to reach through the shade to warm the earth. Shun’s sniffles eventually died down and he curled up in Keskei’s lap, generating heat enough for the both of them. “Like a cat,” thought Keskei. His smile spread wider over his features as he allowed himself to relax in the private moment. Since the day of their meeting, Shun’s presence had always put him at ease, the warmth of his body dimming only in the light of his spirit. Keskei’s grip tightened unconsciously as memories reached from cold places he preferred to forget. “No,” he closed his eyes and pushed the thoughts away, “That’s over now.” Yet, as his mind wandered in the quiet of the small glen, he couldn’t help return to the past. The forest teased his nose continually with whiffs of smoke that escaped on the wind. His eyes opened as a thought struck him; this new life would begin as it had before - out from the flames. He turned toward the murky interior of the forest beyond the glen and he remembered… the day he left home and set out into the Wood that was no more.

~~~~

Mahamae Dojo sat on the low hill as it had for a hundred generations, worn but pristine as the day it had been built. Jihiro saw to that. He sat on the tiled roof, a box of replacement tiles at his side, a hammer slack in his two hands. He rested well-muscled arms on drawn up knees, watching the students in the training yard. The yard extended the length of the main body of the dojo, hemmed on each end by the wings of the building, and cut off from the outside by a high wall on the remaining side. Trees, targets, and a deep pond spread out over the yard: tools for the training of young ninja. Jihiro chewed absently on a stick as he watched the trainees finish their last session, the late afternoon breeze toying with his short blond hair.

“Taking another break?” mocked a voice suddenly at his left. A boy with a mass of dark unruly hair sped past him on silent feet. Jihiro had only an instant to catch the flash of that cocky smile and the flash of metal. The man looked down into his empty hands and growled. “Keskei!” he thundered as he darted down the roof after the laughing boy. Keskei flipped easily from the roof to a crouch on a nearby branch. He shot his pursuer a grin and tapped the trunk a few times with the hammer. A dozen kunai appeared in the wood directly below his groin in response. Keskei nearly squeaked as he leapt to the branch above him, his momentary terror turning to annoyance. “Geez, Jihiro…”

The complaint was cut off as the larger warrior rocketed toward the younger, foot extended in a kick. A loud crack reverberated through the training yard and a moment later Jihiro landed deftly by the trunk, a satisfied expression on his rugged face. “That’ll teach him,” he muttered as he waited for the boy to hit the ground. His eyes widened as a heavy log tumbled out of the tree in Keskei’s place.

“You need to lighten up, Jihiro...” The man whirled about and glared at the kid standing casually behind him. Keskei tossed him the hammer. “...if you’re too steamed to even see through a substitution technique.” Keskei flashed his wide smile. “Get me next time, okay?”

The flustered warrior ran a hand through his blond hair and failed to suppress a smirk. “You know I will, especially if you keep messing with my tools.” He aimed a playful foot at the kid’s backside.

Keskei let his friend boot him away and ran laughing toward the dojo. He kicked off his shoes as he bounded up onto the porch and into the main training room. He stopped short at the doorway as he caught sight of a graceful figure poised at its center. He slid the door closed behind him and leaned against it, watching. A woman clad in a worn practice gi stood motionless, eyes closed, a wooden sword grasped above her head. Straight shorn hair framed her delicate features and spilled in black cascades down her back. Her fair face was a mask of serenity, her breathing deep and even. Keskei’s own breath seemed to still in his lungs as he waited, the depth of her concentration dominating the room. Like a sudden torrent of water she was moving, striking and twisting in a series of precise yet fluid movements. Eager young eyes strove to catch each step of the warrior’s dance, burning every one into memory. Her toes barely seemed to touch the floor, hair and fabric flowing about her body, weapon cutting the air with soundless precision. Like a sudden torrent she was still again, long strands of hair settling on her shoulders. She turned slowly and opened obsidian eyes on her observer. A gentle, feminine voice asked, “How many hits, Keskei?”

The boy stood a bit straighter and answered, “Twenty six, Hahaue.”

“Twenty eight,” corrected his mother. She smiled and walked over to her son as his brow creased with frustration. “You cannot observe the water if you are drowning in it.” She laid a pale hand on Keskei’s shoulder. “Continue to hone your focus, Keskei.”

“Yes, Hahaue.” He addressed the woman by her formal title, as both mother and 13^th Master of the Mahamae Dojo. It was not out of his respect for history or tradition. In the presence of this person alone did the defiant glint in his eyes dim, replaced by the warmer glow of admiration.

Her hand slipped from his arm as she glided back to the center of the room. She called softly over her shoulder, “Spar with me, Keskei.”

“Yes, Hahaue!”

TBC…