By Rachel Ann Michael Harris
Netsu wiggled deeper into the ferns surrounding a momiji tree and tugged at the orange and red fabric of his haori. Maybe if he burned the fabric with his bearing gift, he wouldn’t have to go in this—What was the right word for this garish garb?
“Shiny.”
Netsu spun around, coming face-to-face with a small brown and black tanuki.
The raccoon-dog waved a paw at Netsu. “Afternoon, young samurai. What brings you to the forest in such finery?”
Netsu scowled. “If you like it, you can have it.”
“Why the animosity?”
“Today my brother Mizu is receiving special recognition for excellence in his bearing gift. So he filled a few teacups. Who heated them?” Netsu hand began to glow until it was white hot.
“Fancy.” The tanuki’s eyes widened. “Older brother?”
“Younger. By ten minutes.”
“Aww, twins.” The tanuki chuckled. “Be glad you don’t have five, like me.”
Netsu snorted. “Still, I’d rather not go.”
“Then don’t.”
“Not that easy when you’re human.” Netsu shook his head. “They’d notice if I was gone.”
The tanuki tapped its paw to its mouth. “What is your name?”
“Netsu.”
The tanuki smiled—and burst into a puff of smoke. When the air cleared, Netsu’s own face looked back at him. “Just call me Netsu today. I’ll attend the party for you.”
Struggling to make sense of what he was seeing, Netsu fumbled for words. “Why? What do you get out of it?”
His new twin smiled and gestured to its own peasant attire, then at Netsu’s haori. “I like the clothes. And there will be treats. What do you say?”
Netsu considered the proposal while tracing his haori’s embroidered orange flame representing his bearing gift. Not have to go to the party and listen to everyone fawn over his brother? And it only cost his clothes and some treats? Not a bad price.
But what did his father say about being wary of tanukis? Netsu snorted. The tiny creature couldn’t be worse than the kitsune that visited Mizu.
Straightening, Netsu extended his hand. “Deal.”
The tanuki smirked and grasped his wrist.
It was strange shaking hands with himself.
“Now,” the tanuki added, “we have to switch clothes for this to work.”
Netsu pulled off the silk jacket and put on the simpler clothes while plans flooded his mind. But before he decided, the tanuki touched his shoulder.
“So there’s not two of us walking around.” It tapped Netsu’s nose.
Smoke puffed around him. Once it cleared, Natsu gaped at his black paws and tan fur.
“I’m a tanuki!”
“See you tonight.” The real tanuki laughed and dashed away.
“Wait!” Netsu sprang after it as fast as his short legs could go.
Netsu scrambled up the wall and peered into the garden below. The bright orange of his haori was easy to spot—at least it was good for something.
Clutching a fistful of skewers spearing colorful, round dango, the trickster skipped to where the taisho and Mizu talked. It bowed low. “Taisho.”
The taisho bowed his head, then returned his attention to Mizu.
“If I might be so bold, that is a gorgeous blade you have,” the tanuki said.
The man looked down at his intricately designed dual swords. Mizu’s brow scrunched.
“I hope to someday be a brave taisho such as yourself,” the imposter continued. “It would be an honor if I might hold it for a moment.”
The taisho hesitated, then drew his katana and handed it to the tanuki.
Netsu’s eyes widened as the tanuki’s fingers glowed.
He has my bearing gift?!
Bowing, the trickster returned the sword. As soon as the taisho received it, he cried out in pain and dropped the blade. The creature took off, but when the taisho growled, Mizu stepped between them.
Netsu’s twin bowed. “Forgive him, Taisho. He’s not himself.”
The taisho gritted his teeth. “He better become himself soon.”
“Yes, sir.” Mizu bowed again, then ran after the tanuki…
…who he thinks is me. Netsu groaned. How could he have been so stupid to make a deal with a tanuki?
The trickster paused at the garden gate to smile up at him, then fled, Mizu close behind.
Netsu jumped into a nearby tree to follow.
The tanuki let Mizu catch up just as Netsu reached an overhanging branch.
“Netsu, what’s wrong?”
The tanuki smiled. “Just having fun, brother.” It tossed a dango into the air, leaning back to catch it.
Mizu swatted it away. “Stop.”
“That was my last one.”
“Netsu!”
“What? The party is boring. I think it needs a little spark.” The tanuki’s fingers sparkled like firecrackers.
Mizu flung a hand up, dowsing the sparks with water. The tanuki whipped its other arm perpendicular to Mizu’s torso. A ribbon of fire struck Mizu, hurling him to the ground.
Not my brother.
Netsu leapt between them, snarling and snapping at the imposter. Surprised, the tanuki tripped and collapsed onto its backside. Netsu jumped onto the trickster’s chest, baring his teeth.
The tanuki laughed. “Well, that was fun while it lasted.”
In a puff, Netsu regained his human form, wearing the same peasant attire.
“Brother?” Mizu glanced between tanuki-Netsu and real-Netsu.
Head tossed back, the tanuki roared with laughter. In another puff, the tanuki retook its true form and scurried up a tree. It jumped onto the wall, where it turned back and bowed to Mizu.
“Enjoy your day, Mizu.” It pointed to Netsu. “Probably best to remain in control of yourself in the future. Thanks for the shiny!” With a wave, it disappeared over the wall.
Netsu clutched at the rough fabric. “It still has my clothes!”
Mizu wiped some dirt from his blue haori. “Why was a tanuki pretending to be you?”
Netsu grimaced. How do I explain this? “It liked my haori and wanted—”
A scream resounded from the garden.
“—treats.”
Mizu winced and picked up the discarded dango. “I guess it was still hungry.” He smirked. “I’m looking forward to this story.”
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What a fun story! I love your descriptions of the tanuki.
Thank you, Arlan. He was an interesting character to write.
Bad decisions were made lol. Fun story!
So many bad decisions. lol. Thank you, RJ.