A Thousand Years In The Mountains
When Kumi, an ancient fox spirit, falls in love with the handsome Prince Kazuhito, she knows her heart is doomed. Love between a youkai and a mortal is forbidden, and up until the day their paths crossed, the concept never mattered to her. She had spent a thousand years wandering the mountainside with abandon, and now she couldn't imagine one more day without being by his side.
Prince Kazuhito, heir to the throne and destined to be Emperor, has no room in his life for love. His only desire is to rule with honor and become the man his father never could. But when his hunt takes him on a chase to bring down a rather cunning black fox, his life is turned upside down. And what he convinced himself he had no room for, suddenly becomes his entire universe.
Kazuhito looked down at Kumi with a thankful smile, wishing more than anything he could retake her hand. She returned the smile with a yearning look of her own, the minuscule distance between them made even more unbearable by the fact of how easy it would be to slide his fingers along the back of her hand or brush his arm against hers; if only she would stand next to him.
“How is Hidetsugu? Is he recovering well?” Kumi asked in attempts to direct her attention towards conversation and away from improper impulses.
“Yes, thanks to you he managed to make a full recovery. The healer said he saw no signs of infection. I dare say he was impressed, worried even.”
“Worried? Why? Did I do something wrong?
“No, quite the opposite. I think he feared for his business.”
“You jest!”
“I would never.”
Their laughter lilted across the rippling pond, echoing softly between the cascading waterfall and the weaving tails of swaying koi fish. They continued along the path, both acutely aware of the calming silence. Devoid of awkward glances and stuttering words, it was a silence of two people who were utterly content with the close presence of the other.
“So, aside from the mastery of healing and apothecary, and the strange desire to travel alone, what other fascinating skills do you possess?”
Kumi scrunched her face as she contemplated her answer. “Well, despite appearances, I love running. My parents would constantly remind me how improper that was for a lady. But I guess you could add to my list of peculiar character traits that I don’t always follow the rules.”
“A true rebel.”
“Maybe. Does your highness possess any bizarre compulsions?”
“Much to the chagrin of my grandfather, I do enjoy a good hunt.”
“That’s not as peculiar as a woman who travels alone. I think I may have your highness beat.”
“I’m not so easily defeated.”
Kumi gave him a look that dared him to try his best.
“In fear of being caught, you must promise never to repeat what I am about to tell you.” Kazuhito looked around before leaning in to whisper. “Sometimes, late at night, I sneak into the kitchen to steal confectionaries.”
Kumi concealed a snicker behind the elaborate sleeve of her kimono.
“I doubt a sweet tooth will be enough to win this time, your highness.”
“No, I guess it isn’t.” He laughed low and sincere. “Please, call me Kazuhito.”
Kumi bowed slightly, obliging his request as they wrapped back around on the trail to end where they began. Beside them stood the three-tiered pagoda, built for religious ceremonies and festival celebrations. But the massive wooden doors were barricaded against wandering visitors in preparations for the Tanabata Festival in a few weeks.
With a distant gaze, Kumi followed the decorated finial that pierced up into the night sky.
“Bamboo-grass leaves flowing in the wind,
swinging by the edge of the eaves.
Stars are shinning,
like gold and silver sand.”
Kumi recited, trailing off with a somber tone only to have her stanza picked up by Kazuhito, who completed the ancient song.
“The five-color paper strips
I have already written.
The stars twinkle,
they watch us from heaven.”
It was a bittersweet reminder of her place; a prince destined for the stars would never fall from the sky to land among the creatures of the earth. And no amount of wishing could shift the Milky Way, nor resonance of love connect the lovers split between it.
“It’s getting late; I should probably head back. I do apologize for monopolizing so much of your highness' time.”
“My time is always available for you to monopolize whenever your heart sees fit.” His voice was soft, caressing her with words where she knew his hand could not.
“Goodnight, Kazuhito.”
His name rolled over her lips like a sweet addiction; a substance he would never consume enough of. It left him hungry, helpless against the electric current that pulsed through his veins, stealing his breath and paralyzing him.
It wasn’t until she had crossed the bridge on her way to the castle gates that he found his voice, calling after her. He could not allow her to walk away without knowing the exact amount of time he’d have to endure before seeing her again.
“Do you know the ancient temple ruins on the southern Taikomaru ridge?”
Kumi nodded, unable to contain the eagerness from her face.
“Will you meet me there tomorrow night when the moon is highest in the sky?”
“A dangerous trek for a prince, especially with a beast on the loose. How will you ever convince your loyal guard to let you go?”
“I have my ways. Besides, the risk is well worth the reward.”
“Then I shall wait for you where the spiritual and mundane plane unite.”
“And merge into one another beneath the heavens.”
