The Beginning, part the ninth

[sakon76]

Kurama waited in her chambers for her husband to return from his duties at the court. For one last time she picked up her hairbrush and smoothed long black strands. Whispers had already gone around--her ladies refused to attend her anymore. She supposed she couldn't blame them. In the round mirror before her the reflection rippled, blurred, then changed to that of a fox-man, white-silver and strong. Her true face, which she hadn't seen for nine years. With trembling fingers she touched the mirror.

"Kuzunoha."

Kurama jumped and whirled.

Her lord stood facing her, still dressed in his court robes. His still face seemed to hide his heart behind a screen.

"Lord Yasuna," she said, bowing to him.

He wasted no time on preambles. "Is it true?"

She bowed again, lower. "Yes."

"Why?"

She smiled, rueful nostalgia. "You saved my life on the mountain where we met. I wished to repay what I owed." She met his eyes, reading the pained betrayal in them. But already her heart was rewriting itself, making her husband into a fond memory rather than the reason she woke each morning.

"The boy?" he asked.

"Your son," Kurama replied, bowing again. "I leave him to you--he cannot come where I go."

"He is a demon's son. It will not be easy for him." Yasuna knew better than to think he could stop rumors.

She nodded in acknowledgement. "Let it be known that his mother is a myobu, one of Inari-sama's train, and no mere kitsune. Perhaps that knowledge will ease his path among humans. As my son, though, he will see the unseen and converse with the unknown. Please, Yasuna-sama, let his powers be trained." Her forehead touched the floor as she bowed again.

He was silent for a long moment, then murmured assent. "Would an onmyouji be acceptable?"

Kurama sighed in relief. Yasuna was neither rejecting Dojimaru nor stifling his gifts. "Thank you my lord." She sta up, then stood. "My presence causes you distress, my lord. I shall go. May I see the boy one last time?"

"Of course." He did not turn as she walked past him. But at the moment when they stood shoulder to shoulder, he asked in a quiet voice, "May I have the honor of your name, fox-wife?"

"Kurama," she replied in an equally quiet voice. "I am called Kurama."

"Kurama," he repeated, not without humor. Then he sighed. "You were a fine wife."

"Thank you. You were a fine husband. Be good to the boy."

"I will."

Kurama left him behind, and did not look back.