Page 147 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Fumiko quietly asserted, “We’re in charge of ourselves. And I want to do my own choosing.”
“You’ll make another good choice.” Zuzu sounded so confident. “Find something pretty for our bird. That way, he will stay and stay and stay.”
“We don’t need to bribe Juuyu to stay. He already calls you his home.”
Zuzu hugged herself and gave a little shimmy. “He is ours, and we are his.”
“You’re happy.” Fumiko might have been most pleased by that one thing. That Juuyu understood Zuzu and included her in his affections.
“He deserves something vast.”
“I think so, too.” Fumiko was sure that the nearby shops must have nice things. She wanted to look and to touch. To make sure that her gift was just the right color and that it had just the right weight and feel. Something important and beautiful. “I want to spoil him.”
“That’s a good plan.” Zuzu hugged her close, whisking her past boundaries. “If you need me, I will know.”
And then Fumiko was on her own.
Walking along the street felt strange, even precarious. But there had been a time when she wasn’t locked away behind barriers. Yes, things had changed, but so had she. Akira had shown her how to be brave. She could explore on her own.
The doughnut shop. The art store. Familiar territory.
Farther along, new possibilities opened up. A souvenir shop. Little restaurants. A used bookstore. Each business welcomed her with a smile, and Fumiko relaxed enough to enjoy herself. Many trinkets appealed to her, but they weren’t quite right for Juuyu. She wasn’t ready to give up, though.
Fumiko stepped out of a quaint store that specialized in garden ornaments and found herself facing a man who tugged at her memory.
He smiled up at her.
She smiled back.
“Fumiko?” he asked. “Yes, surely it is you. Do you still call yourself Fumiko?”
The man was speaking Japanese, and Fumiko was suddenly, dazzlingly sure that he was the reason she knew the language.
“I have not been here in so long. Everything is different.” He uncurled his fingers, showing her a handful of purple flower petals. “But some things cannot change, so they do not. How are you and Kazuki faring?”
“I remember you!”
“That is gratifying.”
“I know your voice.” She touched his face, searching her memory. “But you’ve changed.”
“Simple tricks. I do not like to call attention to myself.” Taking her arm, he drew her a little way along the sidewalk. “Is it safe?”
“We’re safe.” Fumiko patted his arm reassuringly. “Good people are protecting us.”
He shook his head. Tucking her arm through his, he steered her toward home. “I am glad you and your sister are well, but that is not what I meant. Fumiko, child, do you still have my box?”
FIFTY-ONE
Changing Winds
Akira kept to his place in the middle of their small pack, knowing the rest were flanking him for his safety, but also for Suuzu’s comfort. Though the phoenix had released his arm, a hand rested lightly on Akira’s back. Probably because Suuzu knew what trees could do. And how fast.
As soon as they were through the Amory doors, Sinder and Jacques made a beeline for Brew & Bubble. Mirrim signaled from her post beside the courtyard entrance, and Magda double-timed it to her side. When Argent strolled over, Hallow quietly receded.
“No sign of our tree,” Argent announced. “But I am holding out hope.”
“Our tree?” Akira quietly echoed.
