The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

Author:Yangsze Choo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

31

Through the sparse trees, the faint, bobbing light continued to draw closer. My mistress gripped my arm hopefully. Before I could stop her, she shouted, “Hellooo! We’re lost!” Never mind that we were now in Japan and nobody was likely to understand her. It was too late anyway; whoever was carrying the light was approaching rapidly.

I didn’t like that. Generally, a lone peasant will make a timid approach. Sudden advancement usually indicates confidence in numbers or purpose. And here we were, two women alone in a deserted area. I feared my mistress was too trusting.

“We are saved!” she cried, in great relief.

The light resolved itself into a paper lantern carried on a stick. A lean figure appeared behind it. But I didn’t need the lantern glow to pick out his features; from the stride, I knew it was Kuro.

“It’s getting late,” he said. “I came to bring you home.”

He offered his arm to my mistress, who was delighted to see him. “How did you know to find us?”

“If I were to go for a walk, I’d likely climb this hill, too.”

“This is the second time you’ve saved me,” said my old lady. “Or perhaps I should say, someone like you has come to my rescue, since we don’t know about the first time.” She was in much brighter spirits, even making jokes. I kept quiet. How had Kuro unerringly come right up to us? Or perhaps I was more predictable than I’d thought.

Kuro turned to me. “Let me carry your bundle.”

“There’s no need,” I said brusquely.

“We were picking wild greens,” said my old lady, puzzled by my unfriendliness, “and got lost.”

“Did you get lost?” he said to me.

“Yes.”

I bristled defensively, but he merely said, “Be careful in these woods.” The light from the lantern shone on my face and he paused. Self-consciously, I placed my hand over the bite mark on my neck. It wouldn’t do to have my mistress notice it. Kuro said nothing, but he started walking again a little too fast.

The smell of damp leaves and fresh earth rose around us, the night scent of the forest. Trotting behind the swinging lantern light, I heard Kuro and my old lady talking.

“Could you slow down, Mr. Kurosaki?” she said. “I’m afraid my old legs can’t keep up with you.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Do you want a ride?” Crouching down, he offered her his back.

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

“Please,” he said. “The ground is uneven, and you look tired. We’re at least a mile from home.”

“I’ll carry the lantern,” I said as he hefted her up easily. If Kuro had indeed saved her as a child, this would be the second time he’d given her a piggyback ride. The thought gave me an odd pang that she might never know it. Since I was now holding the light, I was forced to walk by Kuro’s side. It was a sensation both familiar and painful.

My old lady looked no bigger than a child as she clung awkwardly to his back. Embarrassed, she said, “Now I really am a burden to you, besides being a guest.

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