Ichiro's arm was overcome by numbness when he awoke and became accustomed to his surroundings again. Kumiko was still lying within his grasp; human or not, it seemed that she had chosen to leave him unharmed during the night.

He left her side and slipped out of bed to get dressed while glancing back to ensure she was still asleep. Ever since his conversation with the monk Ginji, a part of him had suspected that Kumiko wasn't what she claimed to be. He didn't want to drop his guard but stumbled anyway in a rush to put on his trousers. His breath caught in his throat as Kumiko stirred and tried to rise. "Ichiro?"

"Yes?"

"You seem to be in a hurry. Is something worrying you?"

Ichiro made an effort to stay calm and avoid divulging his fear. "I left my home for a purpose, and that was to buy and sell tea. Or at least return with more money than I started with."

"Of course." Kumiko managed to sit while keeping her chest covered. "Would you mind waiting for me? I want to come with you."

"I suppose you can." Ichiro finished donning his trousers and proceeded to his upper garments. "You won't have to travel alone, at least."

"I'm glad to hear it. It would be nice to see your hometown."

Ichiro paused halfway through tying his sash. Kumiko seemed to be acting on her wish to stay with him, but he still didn't know how she had managed to find him in this inn of all places. He turned back to face her while she also got dressed. "May I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"This city is a large one. How did you know to look for me here?"

"Uh..." Kumiko slipped into the sleeves of her robe. "That's a good question. You could say that a man of great virtue showed me the way."

Ichiro couldn't think of anyone who fitted the description except the monks of Mount Daigo, so he nodded. "I see. You must have asked around at the temple."

Kumiko stared open-mouthed at him for a moment before continuing. "Yes, that's what happened. I didn't think they would be willing to help someone like me, but I was proven wrong."

"Well, they are monks. You can trust them not to see you as desirable," Ichiro commented. "But that doesn't tell me how you knew I was here."

"I know someone in this city," Kumiko explained after spending more time in silence than was necessary. "His name is Sora, and he's very good at recognizing people. He remembered you right away when I gave him a description."

This answer was too convenient for Ichiro to believe, but he was hungry and decided to accept it for now. He finished tying his sash, then watched Kumiko struggle to keep her collar in place. "Are you all right? Should I help you?"

Kumiko gnashed her teeth as the fabric slipped from her fingers again. "No. I can manage on my own."

"Whatever suits you..."

******

Kumiko felt some relief at having fooled Ichiro, but she knew that hiding the truth would only get more difficult. Ichiro had already come close to discovering a flaw in her story, and she had to be careful not to fuel his suspicions further.

I just need to kill him, she thought while halfheartedly eating rice porridge for breakfast. Then none of that will matter anymore.

Later, she accompanied Ichiro on the busy street outside and glanced down at her fist. She could use it to attack the vital points near his heart as the older kitsune Aki had once shown her. Death would come quickly if the strike was forceful enough, though there would still be the issue of smuggling Ichiro all the way back to Lord Tengu's abode.

I'll need a large sack and suitable transport. Perhaps a cart or wheelbarrow would suffice...

Kumiko looked around for a sign of either while Ichiro conversed with a stranger wearing a conical hat. A lanky old man on the other side of the street happened to be pushing a cart, but it was filled with fruit and seemed too small to fit the body of someone as tall as Ichiro.

On second thought, I might need a carriage instead.

She focused on Ichiro again as he thanked the stranger and stepped aside to let them pass. He turned towards her with a smile.

"Good news. This man is going to the marketplace and will show us the way."

Kumiko forced herself to mirror Ichiro's expression. "Why, that's wonderful. I suppose we'll need more food while traveling."

They followed the man through throngs of people and countless streets until Kumiko's feet ached. However, she managed to endure it by remembering that plenty of sustenance was needed for her to stay in human form. Her disguise tended to falter when she didn't eat enough, and she couldn't have that happen in a place like Kyoto.

The shouts of vendors and chatter of customers reached Kumiko's ears as they entered a street filled with shops and stalls as far as the eye could see. She exhaled in relief before looking towards Ichiro and seeing the awe on his face.

"I always thought my hometown was special, but I was wrong. It's no wonder this is the capital..."

Kumiko averted her eyes. Was it her imagination, or was Ichiro's voice more soothing this morning? She wondered how pleasurable it would be to hear him utter amorous words in that tone, only to feel ashamed of such trifling thoughts.

I must not waver. Everything he says and does could be an act, just like Sora when he chooses a woman to charm. I don't know why Harue allows him to carry on like that...

"Hey, don't you think it's strange?" Ichiro asked, shocking Kumiko. "I'm dressed like a pauper while you look like a lady of fine breeding. People must be suspicious to see us together."

Kumiko examined the soft pink fabric that made up her robe and knew his worry wasn't unfounded. However, there was a simple pretext she could give to dispel suspicion, and it surprised her that Ichiro hadn't considered it at all.

"If anyone asks, I'll say that you're my servant. Is that agreeable with you?"

The lump in Ichiro's throat bobbed. "I suppose. Just don't mistreat me as part of the pretense."

"I won't. That's a promise," Kumiko reassured before feeling the weight of her words. Her smile faded, and she dragged her feet against the dusty ground while overcome with guilt at having told her biggest lie yet.