Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,64
lands, I’ll be gone soon enough. Besides, you’re mistaken. I didn’t grow up in a field, I grew up in a temple. I can read and write, and even eat with chopsticks. Can you?”
The neko sniffed, twitching her tail. “Giving a monkey chopsticks and dressing it in a fancy kimono does not make it civilized,” she said in a bored voice. “So you have learned a few tricks. Congratulations. You are still a fox. Your ancestors chased rabbits and defecated on the floor of their dens, as all wild creatures will.”
“And what about you?” I demanded. “Your ancestors probably chased mice and mated under the full moon. You’re not any more civilized than I am.”
“Is that so?” The cat slitted her eyes, regarding me lazily, and turned her head. “Do you see that fish vendor over there?” she asked, pointing with a flick of one of her tails. “I can walk into his shop, twitch my ears and he throws me his leftover fish guts. If you are so civilized, kitsune, why don’t you change forms and do the same? Become a fox, and let us see how he reacts.”
For one crazy moment, I considered it, then shook my head. “No, this is ridiculous. I don’t have time to be standing under a tree arguing with a cat. I have to find the Lucky Frog.”
“The gambling hall?” The neko tilted her head. “Why would you want to go there, fox? Nothing to see but loud, shouting men who reek of sake. Although, they would certainly find your company more pleasant than I.”
I looked up at her again, pricking my ears. “You know where it is?”
“This is my territory.” She waved her tails in an arrogant manner. “I know where everything is.”
“Would you take me there?”
The neko sneezed several times. After a moment I realized she was laughing at me. “Why in the name of the Split-tailed Marauder would I do that?” she finally asked. “Do I look like a fawning, slobbering dog that does everything the humans say?”
“No, you look like a cat,” I said, confused. “Why would I mistake you for a dog? You said you knew where everything is in your territory. I thought you could show me the way.”
“I could,” said the cat, and settled more comfortably on the tree branch. “But I won’t.”
“Nani? Why not?” I scowled, falling silent as a man walked by the tree, giving me a quizzical look. “Are you doing something else?” I whispered after he’d passed. “Something important?”
“Very important.” The neko gave one tail a languid wave. “I am sitting in this tree observing all that goes on in my territory. It is an essential part of my night, something a common field fox would not understand.” She yawned, showing a flash of long yellow teeth, before closing her eyes. “Now, be gone and leave me in peace. I find everything about you offensive.”
I pinned my ears at the arrogant creature. Stupid neko. How would Okame or Reika-san handle this?
I thought about it a moment, then stepped back. “I see. Well, thank you for your time, neko-san. It’s all right if you don’t know where it is. I can find my way there on my own.”
“Didn’t you hear me, field fox?” The neko opened her eyes and peered down at me. “I said I know where it is, I just have no interest in taking you there.” I didn’t answer, and her gaze narrowed. “I know what you are doing,” she warned, as her tails began an agitated thump-thump against the branch. “Your little kitsune tricks will not work on me. I have no interest in playing tour guide to a common field fox, now begone.”
I shrugged. “As you say, neko-san. I’m sure I can find someone who knows the way. Have a good evening.”
I stepped away from the trunk, and the cat hissed. “Halt, forest creature,” she ordered, making me pause and glance back. Lashing her tails, the neko rose and leaped out of the branch, landing without a sound at the base.
“Do not speak to me,” she said, stalking past with both tails held high. “I am not helping you, I am merely proving that I know every inch of my territory and that you are a barbaric forest creature who does not belong here. Follow if you must, but not too close, and try to stay downwind. I do not wish to smell you the entire way to the gambling hall.”