Tengoku by Magdon Rae D

Author:Magdon, Rae D. [Magdon, Rae D.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Desert Palm Press
Published: 2016-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

***

Kaede woke to an empty bed. The sun had risen, and Imari was nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, Kaede sat up, rubbing her eyes. She wasn't sure where Imari had gone, but she wanted to find out. Over the past few months, she had grown used to seeking out other people's company instead of keeping to herself. Besides, her stomach was rumbling. She needed something to eat—preferably something more palatable than the dry rations in her pack.

She rolled her shoulders, pleasantly surprised by how loose they felt. Spending the night in an actual bed had done her a world of good. She felt relaxed and rested, and could summon the energy to stand up quicker than she had during their mornings of travel. She washed the worst of the previous day's dirt away with the bowl of water that had been provided then dressed quickly, finishing by sliding her katana into her obi. Once she was finished, she headed over to the screen that separated her room from Kenta's and Takeshi's.

"Kenta? Takeshi? Are you awake in there?"

A moment later, the screen door folded back, revealing Kenta's grinning face. It was dripping with water, as did the strands of hair framing his cheeks. "Good morning, sleepyhead. You took your time getting up. Where's Imari?" He peered over her shoulder, and Kaede saw the moment he noticed the two futons pushed together. His eyebrows crawled all the way up his forehead, and he gave her a toothy grin.

"She's not with you?" She pushed past him to check their room. "I suppose she left without us."

"Of course she did," Takeshi muttered. He seemed annoyed, but not overly worried. Obviously, he didn't think Wen Ling meant Imari any harm. "One of these days, she'll wise up and start telling people where she's going. That's what I keep telling myself."

"You'll be waiting a long time, but if telling yourself lies is what keeps you sane, go ahead." She caught sight of Rin curled up in the corner. "I suppose you know where she's gotten off to this time?"

"She didn't say," Rin answered, "but I assume she went to see Wen Ling. They were supposed to meet this morning."

"Then we'd better go find her." Kaede wasn't sure she could handle Kenta's ribbing without Imari to help fend him off, good-natured as it was.

"And food," Kenta added. "I'm starving."

"You're always starving," Takeshi said.

The four of them headed out into the hallway together, with the three humans pausing to put their sandals back on before heading back the way they had come. Heat came from the forge, but to their surprise, they found it empty. There was, however, another door in a far corner other than the one they had entered through the night before. Kaede headed in that direction.

Kenta hovered by Kaede's side, looking as if he wanted to say something, but before he started his teasing, Takeshi redirected the conversation. "You know, I can't wait to eat something other than biscuits," he said, musing aloud. "Something hot and fresh-cooked.

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